General Care Discussion

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:05 pm **Swimming Laps?**

Good morning all!

So each morning, Herman likes to swim up and down under his waterfall filter. However, we're now going on 5 hours... and he's been swimming not up and down, but back and forth in that area.

What's that about? Any ideas? I know when dogs exhibit repetitive behavior it's a sign of stress. True for turts?

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:42 pm

i think maybe he just likes the water fall. aeryn tries to drink from it sometimes (crazy turtle). before john got sick he enjoyed ''floating" up by the current it created.

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:06 pm

Okay., Just seemed a little obsessive, worried me (he's still doing it!)

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:10 pm

Spot likes to swim in his waterfall and he does it every day but I've never seen him do it for anything like 5 hours straight. It does sound a little odd. Will he stop to eat?

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:14 pm

wait 5 hours? i missed that part.

oh i don't know. i'm going to be heading up to my vet soon, i can ask on your behalf if you'd like.

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:15 pm

just tried it... and yes, he stopped and took some pellets from my hand. So I threw a coupla extra in, maybe will distract him... now it's going on... 7 1/2 hours??

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:17 pm

Wow! I've never heard of anything like it. It's encouraging that he stopped for pellets, though.

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:21 pm

maybe he's super bored? what else does he have to do in his tank?

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:23 pm

Throw some fish in there to keep him occupied!

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:17 pm

the vet said can't say unless they see it. i tried.

try putting other stuff in there so it has something to play with. mine enjoy playing with the aquarium rocks and hiding in the plants.

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:38 pm

How big is Herman? Is he a she?

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:22 pm

My turtle used to do this too. He did this for about 2 hours one day. Sometimes he does it a couple minutes. I did nothing and he stopped. Maybe you should like put something in the tank to interest him like a ping pong ball.

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:19 am

Thanks for the suggestions. Well, he stopped, finally. He has fish, plants, rocks and all sorts of things to play with. He has veggies on clips, too. He also has a little friend, Lily. I had a ping pong ball in there, they totally ignored it. I don't know WHAT that's about. I moved some of the fake plants that were nearby, thinking maybe he just didn't want them there?? Right now he's doing it again, but je just started. Very odd.

Still, I'll keep an eye on him. I bring my dog to the vet today. I'll ask them their thoughts (they treat reptiles). When I get back from the vet, if he is still at it, I'll videotape it and post it.

Oh--Herman is a boy. He is about five inches, tops. He's beautiful. He's DEFINITELY a boy because his claws are prolly almost an inch!

Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:50 pm

My vet called it "captive" or "repetitive motion anxiety" It's kinda like a tiger pacing back and forth in a cage. You have to keep in mind that although our pals are quite sociable, they are considered wild animals. All my guys do it from time to time, but never for that long.......something usually distracts them and they stop.

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:18 am

Uh, maybe Herman is a little psychotic... :shock:

Sorry, just had to throw that in! :twisted:

General Care Discussion :: Swimming Laps?

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