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My turtle sheldon is very shy, like when he is basking I can only get 20 feet at least wthout him jumping off. is this normal? Please reply soon! thanks!

Totally normal. It usually takes years for your turtle to feel comfortable enough around you to not jump off the basking area as soon as he sees you.

Shel-turt -- It is very normal. It may take a couple of years before he will not hop off into the water. It is a survival thing and will take a while for him to settle down. You can start working on this by feeding him by hand. It will take a while because he is in the water when you walk up. Hunger and curiosity will get them to eat from your hand. They can go for a week or so without food. It will take a lot of patients. Good luck! M.

Thank you mike! I will do that at feeding time tonight. Thank you for your help guys! Other suggestions are welcome!

Feeding from hand can help, as well as spending more time around them. It always depends on the turtle's personality as well. Some turtles can be quite skittish, while others are calm and collective. I have two larger RESs and one small painted turtle. The larger ones always jump into the water, but the little painted turtle is always chilled and doesn't care who is around.

Its is normal behaviour of turtle jumping from the basking when we get near to them.. Maybe they don't feel comfortable yet and secure. My turtles took about half year to get used at the basking area when I'm around.. huhuu... but then still jumping debuusshh in the water when other family members are around.. hihi..