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Hey everyone... My turtle Engelberdt sometimes naps while he is basking. He may not actually be napping, but just closing his eyes for a while...even with his legs up in the air! Does anyone else notice their turtles doing this? Is this a normal habit?

This is what is affectionately known as the "Superman" pose. He's obviously reaching the point in his basking where he feels completely relaxed and safe. It's very natural.

He's stretching his legs out for more heat. Sometimes my turts will twist their hind feet at seemingly impossible angles to get more of the warmth.

The superman pose is certainly normal as well as adorable....I know what you mean about twising at impossible angles marisa...they are such acrobats sometimes! I guess my real question was if napping while out basking is a normal habit......

My RES sometimes will appear if he's napping, but really isn't. They can see movement through their lids, and if something approaches my RES that he's not familiar with, he's in the water. If I approach, he opens his eyes, I think to make sure it's me. You're right, he may not actually be napping, as in sleeping. I think it's pretty normal behavior to be relaxed enough to shut the eyes, but vigilant about possible predators.

My turtles do that too.
At first Bobbi wouldn't ever close her eyes, but now she does.
Like Marisa said though, my turts are always very aware of what's going on around them.

My turtles do that too. I thought it was the cutest thing when I first saw them doing that.