Habitat - Indoor :: Normal behavior?

[easy2putt]

Does the basking dock need to be completely dry? I bought one of those bridges but it has about 1/4" of water above it? Also my RES, they're about 3" are just doing the tip toe thing and just have their noses sticking out of the water and haven't attempted to go to the dock.

[Caphits]

Yes, it must be completely dry. Their shells NEED to dry off completely. It is essential for shell health.

It might take a while for them to get used to the new dock, so they wont bask right off the bat. Also, if it is not warm enough, they wont bask.

[easy2putt]

The bigger one looks like it will bask in the semi-wet dock..the smaller ones are jus t swimming around then will piggy back on the bigger one..but still do the tip toe - head outside the water..

I think I'll just add more river rock to one side to increase the height of the bridge..duh.

My wife has the digi-cam..I want to take a pic and show you guys what I mean..

they are so cool.

[Caphits]

That sounds good. We love pictures here!!

[marisa]

If the dock is resting on river rock, make sure it's even and stable (won't shift when your turtle gets on it). You might want to consider a different basking area, one that's big enough for all three turtle to bask comfortably at the same time if they want to.

They need to be able to bask on something that will allow their plastrons to dry off.

[easy2putt]

Ok, I decided to get rid of the bridge because it was taking up too much room and went with the floating basking ramp..BUT

My turtles are still going to their respective corners and hugging the walls and just sticking their heads out of the water..

one is just cornering itself into the corner where the filter is, submerged, and just standing there.

The bigger one climbs onto floating dock..due to his weight the lower part of his shell is submerged..but he doesn't seem to mind.

The littler ones, 4", one is hanging onto the side with it's head poking out of the water..