General Care Discussion :: How long?

[ellman605]

Sorry, i thought it would be better to move my question here.

Since i installed the new basking area in, which is almost done, i need to get a rock slate or something before its completely done, and my dad is getting some convetor belt stuff tonight, so it will be done very soon, but its definatly usable now.

I put 2 pellets up there today, and later int he day they were gone, i presume one of the turtle (probably bobby) journeyed up there, found the food, and left. Since then, i put 2 more up there, in hopes they will dissapear.

My question is, i havent seen my turtles basking yet, and its been since yesterday afternoon. How long can my turtles go without basking? I know i'm paranoid, but i'm very very worried with things like this.

Summary: How long can my turtle go without basking?

[jenaero]

Quite a while I'd imagine. I'm having the same problem with one of mine. They've been in their new 125gal for about 3 weeks now and I've only seen Rocks basking once. I know she knows how to get up there because she climbs up every morning to say hello. As long as the temps are right and the basking area is easy to climb onto, they'll bask when they're ready.

[ellman605]

ok, thanks jen, i know, i'm a worrier, but after all the money and stress and...other stuff, i dont want my turtles to suffer or anything, i want them to live a long life

[BROOKLYN]

I wouldn't worry about it that much. If it makes you feel better, my Survivor never had the chance to bask until recently. Like an ignorant owner that I was, I didn't know much about the necessities for turtles. I had my grandmother take care of him (she didn't know much neither) so I never took up the responsiblity that I should have. Survivor lived in a rubbermaid and just water (nothing else) throughout his life for over 10 years. I was given him as a gift when I was about 6 or 7 (about to be 20 soon in Feb) and like any kid, my attention span was short lived after two weeks. That's when my grandmother took him in and just fed him Reptomins most of his life in a rubbermaid and water. It was only about last year when I decided to take more of an active role since my grandmother didn't have as much time as she did before healthwise and time wise. Hence, the name Survivor. Fits him well as I know for sure that many turtles would have died long before that. He's doing quite fine now and I can definitely see the difference in his shell and he's constantly active nowadays (not like he had much choice). So my guess is that your turtles are still adjusting. Did you take the temperatures for the water and basking area? Might be a reason. As for how long turtles can't do without basking, you tell me. I'll say at least for more than 10 years for some . But once I provided a new setup for him (especially the basking area), he was immediately up there and just chilling. He did that for a few weeks once the timer had the light on. I guess he was making up for all those years. Now he chooses whether he wants to bask or not. Good Luck. Let me know when you're finished completely with the basking area so I can take a few pointers.

[ellman605]

i'm sure there is a big difference in basking and water, water has been a constant 74 for....like.....1 month now, never has gone up or down, man, i love my $8.50 heater, petsmart clearance rocks.

update: i posted this in habitat already, but my dad said every time he popped into my room (3-4 times) he found the turtles basking, and scrambling off, and when i came home tode (he's VERY timid) wasn't totally on the basking area, but he was full out of water and on the ramp, and luckily the ramp is pretty much level with the uvb, so at least he was getting the uvb. so, i know for a fact they are basking, so i'm glad about thatthanks for the update, now i'll be totally sure that if they arent basking i shouldnt really worry, since that guy hasnt been able to bask for his whole life, thanks a lot!!!!!!

[BROOKLYN]

i'm sure there is a big difference in basking and water, water has been a constant 74 for....like.....1 month now, never has gone up or down, man, i love my $8.50 heater, petsmart clearance rocks.

update: i posted this in habitat already, but my dad said every time he popped into my room (3-4 times) he found the turtles basking, and scrambling off, and when i came home tode (he's VERY timid) wasn't totally on the basking area, but he was full out of water and on the ramp, and luckily the ramp is pretty much level with the uvb, so at least he was getting the uvb. so, i know for a fact they are basking, so i'm glad about thatthanks for the update, now i'll be totally sure that if they arent basking i shouldnt really worry, since that guy hasnt been able to bask for his whole life, thanks a lot!!!!!!

Yeah, I seen you post your basking area in the Habitat forum and I think that I also posted a reply. Do you have a thermometer to test the temperatures? It can't hurt if you have one to test it again. Many times, turtles bask privately especially when it's a new basking area and their owners believe that they didn't because they scatter once they are startled. I'm sure they will come around and just lay back once they feel secure. The reason I told you Survivor's background wasn't because so owners think that basking isn't important because it is. Many turtles can die from not being able to bask. This can be a real health issue and if one day, Survivor does start showing symptoms because of my negligence after so many years, I won't be surprised at all. The reason I told you about it is because I don't believe that a turtle will be effected if they don't bask for a week, two, or even a bit longer than that.