Habitat - Indoor :: Ralph's new basking area

[BullDog]

Finished Ralph's new atba. Similar ramp style to Frankie's, but I've got a rather interesting challenge to get around. I have slanted ceilings. But, I found a way around it.






He was checking it out just before I snapped these pics, but he hasn't been up yet. Basking temp is 91. Hopefully he'll warm up to it!

I also added an underwater platform, like Frankie's, since he used to sleep on his dock.

[Swaypippin]

nice. I wish Iwas creative...

[TheComputerGremlin]

How quick you put that together! I'm sure he'll love the addition as soon as he realizes how awesome it is!

[BullDog]

Took about half a days time to put together.
The front can come off, for access.

[Take-One]

I bet Ralph will become more of a basker! Thats what happened when I moved the light. Yertle stared to bask much more.

[RESnTX]

Ralph's new basking area looks great. Has he gotten up there yet?

[BullDog]

So he took to his new underwater platform pretty quickly! Usually he's up until I turn the TV off. Last night, after his lights went out, he went over there to check it out, and promptly settled in for bed.


I've changed it a bit now, since Ralph likes to sleep with his head out of the water. Last night he was resting on the plant, but I don't know if the plant will stay put. So I angled the underwater platform.

We'll see if he likes it like that...

Also, this is how I can access inside:

The front half can lift off, or hinge, depending on how much I untie it.


He hasn't been up top yet. He's a "morning basker", so we'll see today!
His ramp isn't at as steep of an angle as Frankie's, so it doesn't stick into the water as much. I may have to tweek it, if he is having troubles getting on to it.

[Swaypippin]

I think you did a wonderful job. Looks like he really enjoys the underwater platform

[BullDog]

An update today, I saw Ralph basking for the first time up there ^_^

A few mornings ago, I heard him up there before the light was on, but I hadn't seen him basking yet. I was checking on him pretty regularly too, so I didn't think he was basking yet.

So today, I moved the heat light a little closer to the ramp, and a couple hours later, he was up there! ^_^


I think he enjoys the extra "leg room"... He had his legs all stretched out behind him. It was cute!

Unfortunately, if I don't completely ignore him while he's basking, he starts begging for attention by scratching on the barriers.




I tried to slowly back away after I took the pics, but as I did, he decided he might be able to get my attention in the water and jumped off.

But now I know he's basking, so that's a good thing

[Take-One]

Does he bask alot? It good to know he had finally gotten used to it!

[BullDog]

No, he's not an avid basker. But some days, he'll bask all day, and some days he'll only bask for an hour. More often than not, I see him in the water.

[Take-One]

Yertle hasn't been basking all week. Usually I see him up there. Ralph looks in VERY good condition.

[sneakyburrito]

man your lucky, i built my own above the tank basking area and my turtles only got to the ramp going up to the main basking "room"

[BullDog]

Burrito - Don't give up! Try moving the heat source a little farther from the ramp, and maybe it won't be warm enough just on the ramp, and they'll move up to find the heat

[steve]

I think Burrito needs to update us with more pictures of his pond!