General Care Discussion :: depressed?

[germanrican]

Do turtles get depressed?

[TheComputerGremlin]

All animals, like humans, can experience depression. Whether it's clinical depression (actual imbalance of hormones) or not, I can't say. But often when an animal loses a companion to death, there is a period of depression.

Why do you ask, if I may ask?

[SpotsMama]

Turtles that have to live in a very sterile (meaning boring) environment get depressed or anxious.

A female living in a sterile lab environment for many years began acting agitated and biting her front arms. A floating rubber ball was put in her tank - something for her to "play" with - and she pushed it all around in the tank every day, and quickly settled down and stopped biting her arms.

[germanrican]

I was just wondering because I don't think there's much for my turtle to do. And with no companion, i know this is human thinking, but it must be kind of boring for it.

What types of things could I put in the tank to keep him (or her) busy? A floating ball sounds like a good idea.... is a ping-pong ball okay?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks!!

[Swaypippin]

Ping pong balls are what I've seen most reccomended. Because they can't bite them and swwallow pieces. Sisqo always liked thoase fake plants with the weights, they were something for him to push around. You could also throw some guppies or rosy reds in there for her to chase, and have as a treat.

[RESnTX]

They also like air bubbles to play in. Keeps them amused for hours.

Other people have put in LARGE marbles for their turtles to roll around on the bottom of the tank.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Another idea is to keep changing the environment. Keep a variety of aquarium pieces around, you know, like a pirate ship or a large rock or an underwater ruins, and every week, change the piece, rearrange things here and there. It keeps them busy for a couple days to figure out what's changed and why.