General Care Discussion :: Do RES need/enjoy time out of water besides basking?

[g29w]

I am curious about whether RES enjoy having land space to explore as much as having a deep tank to swim in? I have learned that RES pretty much spend all their time in water, except for when they want to bask. So we only need to provide a basking area.

Would an RES like having more than a basking area to explore, such as a large land area with a specific area designated for basking? It seems that adult RES enjoy being outdoors when they are older, but hatchings don't enjoy it as much. Is that true? Does anyone has a setup where the their turtle can leave the pond to a large land area easily and go back and forth? How often would they spend their time outside of the water? (not just basking?)

[crock1120]

My RESs prefer to be in the water. They spend their time throughout the day basking, but they definitely would rather be in water. Every now and then I let them explore in enclosed areas that I have for them but theyd don't really like to be taken out of the tank that much. But i guess that depends on the turtle.

[industrial_girl_2000]

My adult RES, Sheba, basks daily, but also loves being out of the tank & walking around my house. She adores getting attention from every person in the room, and when she is done, she walks into the bathroom & digs her way into this large red plush "shoe" that I have set up for her (she goes in there and naps). When I need her again, I call her, and she just comes (like a dog). If Sheba was any LESS stressed, she would be sleeping....

The hatchling is still skiddish about being out of the water, but I take him out & handle him a bit every 2 days or so because I like to make sure there are no problems developing (keep him out long enough so his shell/skin so I can inspect him when he is both wet & dry). I just let him walk from hand to hand to hand (like a treadmill). So far, he still isn't fond of being outside of the tank, but I have only had him for 3 weeks & I am patient.

[marisa]

They're aquatic and on average spend about 80% of their time in the water (where they would feel the safest). I don't think in the wild they would just go exploring for the heck of it. If they were found walking around on land, they would most likely be looking for water (if wild seeking a new habitat that had been disturbed or perhaps a pet that had unfortunately been let go by the owner) or a female that was looking for a place to dig a nest.

[iac637]

Our turtles spend most of their time in the water. They only bask when I am not in the room or home. The second I walk in the room they jump off the ramp.