My turtle's tank is set up on the far end of my living/dining room area. His lights are set on a timer and stay on for 12 hours a day (from 6:30AM to 6:30PM) I just got my turtle at the end of June, he was a baby when I got him, but not sure of his age, so let's just say he's 2 or 3 months old.
I'm worried that he's not getting enough rest. When his light goes off, I still have the tv on in my living room, and when it gets dark, I turn on lamps in the livingroom. So he's still getting a little bit of light from the tv and lamp, and whenever I move around, he's right at the front of the tank watching my every move. I leave out of the living room around 10 or 11PM, and it will be completely dark in the room for him, until my boyfriend gets up and goes into the livingroom at about 5AM.
Once his light goes off, he does go and hide behind the plant in his tank, and rest, but as soon as there's movement in the room, he's up and moving too. How much sleep does my turtle need? Should I cover the tank, to block out all light once his lamps go off so that he can get a peaceful, long sleep?
He usually stays active during the day, swimming, floating, begging for food, or fighting with the plant in his tank. He will climb up on his log and bask several times a day, for about 10 -15 minutes at a time (or until I walk by, then he hops off). The lack of rest time doesn't seem to be effecting him, but I just want to make sure that he doesn't need more down time than he's getting.
Thanks!
