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Quick question but long explanation . I'm taking Tanner for his first vet visit on Monday to have his paw checked out. But I wanted to throw this your way in case I should bring it up on the vet visit.

Tanner always basks when we aren't home and as soon as we come in, he jumps into the water. Yesterday, I did a big tank cleaning because Tanner's shedding his skin and it was making the water icky. This cleaning brought the dock up about 1/2 inch from what it was before because I added a bit more water. Today, when my hubby came home for lunch, Tanner was on his dock basking and did not move until my husband called his name. Then he jumped right off. When I got home this evening, Tanner was basking and again did not move when I approached the tank. I looked at him and he was bone dry and so was the dock. He was doing his superman pose and looked like he was asleep. I was worried because he hadn't moved in about 2 minutes so I called his name. He woke up with a start and jumped into the tank.

The water temp is 75F. For the basking area, I have one of those stick-on thermometers used for reptile habitats just above the dock. It reads 95F but when I use the digital thermometer right on the dock, it fluctuates between 88F and 93F. It seems that Tanner is enjoying this warmer temp since the light is closer to the dock.

I guess my concern is that I've read here that the basking temp should not be more than 10 degrees warmer than the watter. I imagine Tanner would be smart enough to go into the water if he got too hot. Could it just be that he prefers this warmer temp? Or should I get concerned and move the light farther away to decrease the basking temp?

my turtles tend to do this all the time. This is a sign that the temp is just right for your turtle. my turtle will climb to the top of their cascade filter/basking area and will close their eyes and do "yoga" or "superman" either way it is a sign of comfort.

Congratulations! You found Tanner's sweet spot, temp. wise. Plus I think he's getting more comfortable with his surroundings...and you.

Glad to hear it. Thanks Fred and Goose. I was thinking that was it but since it was so sudden ... well, you can't blame a "mom" for worrying.

My pleasure, I love it when you get those little "breakthru's".
Here's a few I've had over the years:
A turtle who was deathly afraid of you just a month ago is now taking food from your hand.
That same turtle climbing up onto the basking ramp to take food from your hand.
A basking turtle that barely notices you when you walk in the room. (Unless it's feeding time!!!).
That same turtle that just last week you were chasing all over the tank to move him to his feeding tank (or just to examine him), now swims to your hand and looks up at you, waiting to be picked up!
Ah, ya gotta love 'em.

Yeah, it's great to see him getting used to us. Whenever we get home, he starts "fluttering" against the tank glass, begging for food. My husband thinks Tanner loves him. I realize it's just that he has associated us with food. But it beats his hiding in a corner whenever we got near his tank.