General Care Discussion :: How to friendly a turtle?

[maximusx6910]

I have my turt in a cabinet, and at first i was never seeing her bask, so i cracked the doors on the cabinet to give her some privacy and to hopefully reduce stress. SURE ENOUGH! she was basking all the time. she has good eyes i would peek and she would dive. Is there anyway i can make myself appear less threatning? Just so i can take the doors off. And she has no problem eating with me there, she will grab and dive to be safe. I do not want to force anything on her, and i want to her to be stress free as much as possible but be able to enjoy watching her. and not be scared at my presence. Only two people ever feed her or look at her, me and my girlfriend. Any ideas or suggestions will be gladly welcomed.

[rsour24]

some turtles will never bask with people around, it depends on the turtle, they might get used to you if u just take them off and let her go or she might just remain scared and not bask with you around

[steve]

I agree with rsour24. It's instinctive to "slide" away and some will immediately go into begging mode (which involves splashing water all over the place).

[za94]

My turtles hate eatin in front of me and they do bask in front of me if i'm still but instinctively slide away as soon as i move. Turtles are very discrete and secluded creatures, they like their space and fear things like movement of big objects, ie, us. Sometimes though as posted turtles will splash away when they see you coming and act very distressed trying to swim into the walls of there tanks and thing, this is a cheeky way of them wanting you to sympathize and feed them like a kidy who keeps up a tantrum to get sweets at the end. Open the doors and she'll probably get used to you eventually but the whole shying away thing is natural.

[marisa]

They feel more vulnerable out of the water, and seeing movement or the presence of something (you in this case) the first instinct is to head for the water. It depends on the turtle---some will become more used to their keeper's presence, other's don't.

You could take the doors off the cabinet the tank is behind and see if your RES gradually becomes less skittish seeing you. You have to give it time, though. And, even if s/he does, there will probably be something (an object you're carrying, whatever) that will send your turtle flying into the water for safety.

[maximusx6910]

Today, i fed one at a time hand fed dip in the water. tail wasnt tucked and seemed to feel a little relaxed i wasnt making any sudden moves. She did pretty well. she leaned on the basking dock, but wouldnt get on, which is okay. just glad she seemed to be little relaxed while feeding. LIke someone had posted, the feel vulnerable out of water, and of course, in water she must feel much more secure. thanks everyone for the suggestions