General Care Discussion

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:15 am **Sleeping Underwater?**

Hello - I'm a brand new RES owner. I might be becoming a lil over protective but: It looks like my little Juliet has fallen asleep under water - is this ok? - or should I wake her?

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:19 am

Welcome to the forum!
Yup, most sleep underwater. When they're sleeping, they can hold their breath for a couple hours. They wake up every few hours and take a breath. A lot of us have resting areas underwater, and the RES like to sleep on that, so it's not too far to get a breath.

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:23 am

they do sleep underwater. though i provide my turts with a resting area where they can sleep on (4 inches down from the waterline), they prefer to sleep on the plastic plants and stick their head up the water if they need some air.

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:28 am

It can be a bit scary when you first see it! A lot of them do tend to sleep under the water because it is usually warmer in the water. My adult sleeps on her basking dock but the babies sleep in the water, so it just depends on the turtle.

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:01 am

my turtles sleeps on either whatever his mood. most of the time hes in the water and looks sooooo cute when sleeping

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:59 pm

Lu-no -- Yes, they do sleep below the water. In the wild that is the safest place to get some the sleep they need. Make sure that you cut off the lights at night or they will get their hours mixed up. I have my lights on 9 to 10 hours per day and have them off at night. b.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:07 am

Thanks everybody - My girlfriend and I are really enjoying our new pal - we can see how turtle care can become a very addicting hobby!

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:32 pm

i thought my turtle was dead the first time i saw him sleeping underwater.
hahah.

its so cute when they do it though

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:38 pm

In the wild, that is the safest place for them to sleep. They can hold their breath for a long time, Mine will come up for a quick breath and go right back down. Yep OK

Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:30 pm

One of my turtles sleeps next to the heater at night with her arms and legs out like she's basking. It's really a funny sight.

General Care Discussion :: Sleeping Underwater?

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