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My turtles are acting as if there restless and not as calm as they usually are... just noticed it today. there only moving up and down up and down. should i be worried?

It's what Vet's call "repetitive motion anxiety".....Could be several reasons for this behavior. Is the tank large enough? Water temps correct? Any low frequency noise or vibration from a stereo or tv? Maybe a noisy filter or aerator?
Are they doing it a few minutes after you feed them? Could be they are eating too fast (or too much) and have a stomachache.....

goose -- You are on the right track with the repetive motion. Clean water correct temps for water and basking and most important, plenty of room to swim around is a good start. A lot of harsh noise would do it also.

My guy also does this. He seems to be trying to get out of the tank. Swims up and down along the sides. He is now in a bigger tank, but still doing it. The tank is in the kitchen, so there is a good deal of daily noise (kids and all). The temps are also a bit high due to the weather (79.5 to 80.5 in water). He is also not basking, really never has that I have seen. Mollies are also sharing the tank with him. What do you do if it is noise? Would white noise help?


Thanks!

Ma-12 -- Trying to get out of the tank is normal, especially when they are in a new home. When I am speaking of loud noise I mean, constant banging, loud music, a lot of loud dog barking etc. Turtles use their carapace as a large hearing aid and can tell when you come into the room. They are extreamly sensitive to viabrations. It is one of their defence mechenisms.

well tried feeding them this morning. They didn't eat. I'll have to trouble shoot with them. Any ideas?

I'm not an expert and have not experienced this, but maybe they are females that need to lay eggs?

It's possible. TriniTurtledude, do they pay attention to you when they are swimming like that?

no not really they ignore me completly when they swim like that....we just thought that they might want to lay...how can i set up a proper nesting area?

Well, you might want to gently feel for eggs, just in case. For nests, I would start here: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Nestsites.htm

But as an FYI, most people do not have luck with dirt tubs, an outdoor nesting area would be vastly better.