General Care Discussion

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:05 am **how to entice basking?**

ever since i moved wall-e from the 15 gal to the 33, hes been really nervous about basking. i have caught him a couple times so i kno he wants to basks and trys to

but i notice his scutes are retaining a bit so what can i do to make him want to bask more?

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:25 am

he just needs time to get used to the new home

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:16 am

Check your water temp. When the water temp is too high they are less inclined to bask. The average water temp should be around 77 or 78 and the basking should be about 90 to 91 degrees. If your temps are correct you can drop the water temps a couple of degrees and they will get out and bask.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:03 am

Also, try leaving him alone for extended periods of time. If you walk in the room and hear a splash, that's because he was basking and he's afraid of you. That will lessen over time.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:24 pm

Basking in healthy turtles is instinctive when conditions are right. Make sure the temp is good (88-90F) and about 10 degrees warmer than the water. The basking area should be easy to get on. If your turtle is new to the tank (and therefore likely to be skittish), putting a barrier around the tank where the basking area is for privacy would be good.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:33 pm

well hes been in there awhile now and before he would stay on the basking dockwhen i go to feed him and have to put the food in.

and my room is really hot so theres no heater in the water, so i should put colder water in when i do a water change?

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:13 pm

Before you change anything, what are your temperatures?

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:59 am

the water is 23C and the basking area is 32C (only have temps in celcius)

thw water is very warm to the touch, but theres no heater in it

im going to be leaving all day and lock up the room so no one goes in and hopefully he basks

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:44 am

the water temperature is a major factor for a non basking turtle.

when my water temp was at 80 and above, my smallest wouldnt bask.

now that its back to normal 73 - 77, he basks normally.

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:52 am

Water is 73F, and basking area is 89F. That's a good difference in temperature.

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:47 pm

i closed all the doors around that room today so i hoped he was basking but idk for sure.

lol every morning he sits in the water at the end of the ramp waiting for me to turn on his light

General Care Discussion :: how to entice basking?

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