Habitat - Indoor :: new tank set up

[theartbook35]

I don't have pictures yet, but I just finished the new tank set up for my turtles. I'll post up pictures eventually.

Just curious, I know reptiles in general take a while to get comfortable with their new enclosures. Is there anything besides the obvious "stressed behavior" that I should look for? I've done tons of research about taking care of reptiles but these little guys are my first turtles.

[Lantic]

There going to be nervous at first till they get used to it.. they probably wont bask for about a day, so don't be worried they don't start basking immediately.

[theartbook35]

There going to be nervous at first till they get used to it.. they probably wont bask for about a day, so don't be worried they don't start basking immediately.

I wouldn't think they'd dare leave the safety of the turtle hut until they were secure enough. Thanks for mentioning it.

I know they might not want food right away, but, how long should that go on before they stop it?

[Lantic]

It depends on the turtle.. it can take a couple hours to a day or two..

[BullDog]

I think it really depends on the turtle. When I got Frankie, I thought she might super stressed. She went from 2" to water when I rescued her, to a 30 gallon tank (while I got her permanent tank in order). The first day she was in there, she had no problem eating, and even ate some veggies! Then when I put her in her permanent tank, and she was up basking within an hour of when I put her in.

Same deal with Ralph, when he got into his new 75 gallon tank, he explored the space for about 5 minutes, then went back to flirting with his rock

If you've got a routine, like you always feed the turtles in the evening, or lights off at 10:00, just stick with it when you move them to the new tank. I think that helps them adjust.

[theartbook35]

I think it really depends on the turtle. When I got Frankie, I thought she might super stressed. She went from 2" to water when I rescued her, to a 30 gallon tank (while I got her permanent tank in order). The first day she was in there, she had no problem eating, and even ate some veggies! Then when I put her in her permanent tank, and she was up basking within an hour of when I put her in.

Same deal with Ralph, when he got into his new 75 gallon tank, he explored the space for about 5 minutes, then went back to flirting with his rock

If you've got a routine, like you always feed the turtles in the evening, or lights off at 10:00, just stick with it when you move them to the new tank. I think that helps them adjust.

They are cracking me up, because usually, Typhoon (the female) has no interest in anything, and she's just romping around enjoying the new tank and basking like crazy. Both her and Hurricane (the male) ate this morning. And what does Hurricane do? The one who runs up to me when he sees me, pays more attention to me than his roommate? Hides like a scared baby. When I walked up to the tank he actually did a cover and duck.

Oh, and seriously, Typhoon needs to stop ripping up the artificial hair grass plants. It doesn't matter if I bury them in the gravel, she's strong enough to dig them back up again. I purposely put it all against the wall to avoid this, but maybe I'll spread it all out since she keeps kicking it all into certain spots.

I purposely did the same routine that I do when I clean their tanks, so they'd think it was just another tank cleaning. Yeah, and then they get in there and realize, huh, [!!!]? They love their new tunnel though, since they both fit with some extra room, and I have the frog-bit bottom plant in front of the entrance and they love hiding under it. The former tunnel was big enough for them both, but, Typhoon would push Hurricane out if she wanted to be alone. When I left this morning Typhoon was still under the vine in the basking area. There's enough space where they can get the rays and still hide if they need too. She'll be there when I get home tonight, I'm sure.

My co-worker had a class pet turtle that would pick up a piece of driftwood and all day swing it into the tank wall. She's been afraid of turtles since.