General Care Discussion :: Do turtles ever really yawn?

[Starchick]

Seems like one weird question after another with these guys!

I know that when you see a turtle yawn out of water it can be a sign of respiratory infection. I'm curious to know if they ever just yawn, like we do. I'm wondering about Napoleon, because he definitely had RI when we got him, we treated it with oral antibiotics and corrected his setup. That first time, we didn't know the symptoms, so he was yawning pretty often for a while, then stopped eating so we got him to the vet. He seemed to get better, but I kept his temps elevated to be safe. A few months later he started really heaving when he took breaths, and breathing open mouthed out of water, but no yawning. That time he was treated with Baytril injections, which took care of it. He had been fine for a while, so I lowered his water temp to 78. The air temperature in my apartment is usually around 76. He still seems fine, no heavy breathing, no breathing open mouthed, but when I let him out to roam around, once in a while he'll yawn. Do they ever just do that without there being a problem? Or should I have him treated again? And if he does need more treatment, should I consider asking for something other than Baytril, given that he's had it and there's no environmental reason that it should keep coming back?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Yes, they can yawn when they are tired! You will know it is a yawn if there is no air-rushing sound when they open their mouths. Also they won't yawn frequently either. When RI is present, they will literally open their mouth all day long.

A lot of times, my turtle will also close her eyes for a second when she opens her mouth really wide (just like a person yawning!).

[Starchick]

Oh yay! Good to hear! Yeah, Napoleon squinches his eyes shut and yaaaawns big then snaps his mouth closed, just like a people yawn. Guess I'll just keep an eye on him!

[marisa]

My turtles yawn mostly in the evening, when they're tired (I think).

[steve]

I usually see some yawning in the morning, right after they wake up.

[Hoooneylynn]

sometimes karlyn yawns in or out of the water! And I think I see her drinking sometimes... when she is under water, her mouth will move, and it is BARELY open... its funny, it looks like she is talking but she is drinking.

*yawwwn*

[Cayte923]

Sometime I notice my little guy, Boris, yawn. He gets on his rock to bask and it takes him a few minutes to get comfy and they when he is he stretches his neck out and yawns very contently. It's very cute! At first I was really worried but then I realized he was just relaxed.

[DavidY]

sometimes karlyn yawns in or out of the water! And I think I see her drinking sometimes... when she is under water, her mouth will move, and it is BARELY open... its funny, it looks like she is talking but she is drinking.

*yawwwn*

Yea Pilot does that too when she's swimming around sometimes. Almost looks like she's panting underwater.

[pumpkinsherbet]

i've only seen mine yawn a couple of times. it's really cute, i remember aeryn hiding out under the plants, letting out a BIG yawn, then closing her eyes to go to sleep. i just watched her for a sec. it was cute.

[Ferd]

I have to wake up at 6 to get to school and turn the lights out at around 10, when they FINALLY slow down (mom always says they are active doing somthing. I think they are planning to get the biggest haul they can(our rat terrier) and thats why they dont eat the fish) But every now and then they will let a huge yawn go. Sone time, speedy did one in the water and when he snaped his mouth shut, he shot backwards and hit the glass. He was sooo startled that he swam like crazy around the cage! it was hilarious!

[Hoooneylynn]

6am-10 pm? They are on too long.. they should only be on for 8 hours max.

[pamelas]

Hey Girl yawns in and out of the water. When she yawns out of water, she also smacks her lips a couple of times. It's darned cute .

[Ferd]

Ive tried turning them off at 6 but it has no effect on them, they just run around at the same time, never slowing down. i tried this for a week. its at 10 that they finally knock it off.

[Breigh]

6am-10 pm? They are on too long.. they should only be on for 8 hours max.

I'm not sure about that. From what I've heard around the forums the average time people leave their lights on is 10-12 hours per day. That's how long I leave mine on.

[SpotsMama]

I think 10 or 12 hours is ok. Around here in the summer our days are longer than that. Of course, the sun doesn't shine full strength all day. Sometimes Spot wants to bask in the morning, sometimes in the evening. I like to give him a range of options for his convenience!