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Napoleon got a new floating basking platform and uvb lamp about a week and a half ago. Since then he has not been basking. He might be a little too heavy for the platform; if he goes too close to the edge he tips off. I'm making a brace to fix that problem, but he is able to get up on the dock and stay there so long as he doesn't go too close to the edge, but he just doesn't. He climbs up then immediately jumps back off, and he'll do that over and over again, like a kid on a slide. He's never had any issues with basking before, usually he'd go up and dry out for a few hours at noontime and in the evening. The water temperature is 80 and his basking temperature is 95, which is what it was before we changed the dock. So I'm wondering what I can do to get him to bask. Getting him up on the platform doesn't seem to be the problem, it's getting him to stay there more than a few seconds. How long is it okay for him to go without basking? Is it possible that he just doesn't like the platform, and will he get used to it? What's my best bet for fixing this?

Sometimes they just like to dive off their platform over and over. Sheba used to do this just to get attention. Up, then SPLASH down. Then up again, then SPLASH down. It could get very annoying, but I think they sometimes get a little bored.

He may just be getting used to the dock. When I changed Sheba's dock, it took her at least a week to figure out how it worked before she would bask again.

What kind of basking dock did you have before? Why did you change? Just curious.

He used to have what I think is an ESU dock, it was shaped like a bridge and sat at the bottom of the tank. Since it wasn't adjustable, we had to find something new when we decided to fill up the tank more to give him more swimming room.

Ahhh, smart!

For my big adult baby, I had to go with one of those clear acrylic basking docks that attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups because Sheba is very big and heavy (she weighs in at 4.4 lbs so everything sags under her weight). I got it off that Dr. Foster's pet supplies website about 4 months ago when I upgraded the set up, and so far it has worked out well.

I have never had one of those floating docks because my turtle is just too heavy for it (plus, she would eat it!).

No luck so far getting Napoleon to bask, at least not while I'm home. I'll get to see him more during the day on Thursday and hopefully catch him in the act. What would the recommendation be if he doesn't start basking, and how long should I give him before I start to worry?

Also, I've been flipping through the archives and reading anything I can find about basking, and I'm just curious: how hot is too hot for a basking spot? I see the ideal range, but how far above that will actually hurt the turtle or make them uncomfortable? Not that I'm planning to raise it any more, I'm just curious because I haven't ever seen an answer and I guess it's just a fact I'd like to have in my memory bank.

I'm really not that sure. No one has ever done a test, for fear of "frying" there turtle. I guess it would depend on age, but NEVER EVER!! go over 120 F!! I would think that 110 F would be uncomfortable, or even a 100 F for a hatchling. I would aim for 90 to 95 F, since the water temp should never be over 80 F away.

This is just an educated guess, so do not take my world for it. I am sure someone else will post with a more definitive answer.

Well, the RES's are originally from the mud flats of the Mississippi river, and that area in the mouth of the river gets very hot, sometimes around 100 degrees F in the summer. Personally, I would not go over around 95, just to play it safe.

u say your water is 80 degrees. Try bumping it down a bit. maybe 77-78.
He is probably basking while you arent home or in the room. I thought for a while that Norman (My RES) wasnt basking until i came home from work one day for lunch break because i work pretty close to home and *PLOP* i heard him go right back into the water when i walked in the room.