General Care Discussion :: Krush won't get out of the water!!

[turtlesrmom]

O Boy.....I dunno...I think I have a champion swimmer here. Krush won't go into the basking area at all. In fact, he sleeps suspended in the water or in one of the plants. When I nudge him toward the ramp and gently push him up there, he frantically tries crawling up on the sides of the basking platform and acts like he wants OUT. Usually he is running around up there so frantically, he ends up falling back into the water when he backs up. I just wonder if this is normal turtle behavior; NOT basking, NOT wanting to be out of the water. I have even tried leaving a trail of small pieces of herring going up the ramp. He gets the closest ones then dives back into the water.

[sflemin2]

How long has he had the basking area? If its new, sometimes they take several days to use it. How warm is the water and basking area? The basking area should be 10 degrees warmer than the water. Also, the herring probably wont help because they have to be in water to swallow

[turtlesrmom]

I've had the basking area for a week or so. so maybe it's too new yet. I forgot about the not eating out of the water issue

[sflemin2]

Can I see a pic of the basking area? Sometimes, they are picky about how steep the ramp is. I have read that a lot of turtles wont go up if people are watching so they wait until night.

[turtlesrmom]

Yes, but I have to do this next week because I'm on a trip to New Orleans til Wednesday! Maybe you're right about the ramp though but also he could be a sneaky turtle and go up there at night too. I'll talk to you again when I get back

[sflemin2]

I saw a pic in another thread just now. Doesnt seem steep..hmmm.

Have fun in New Orleans!

[turtlesrmom]

Writing from New Orleans and yes, I'm having the time of my life! Going home tomorrow. thanks for you good wishes and for the help.
I think what I need is the heat lamp. I'm using just the UV bulb so it isn't very warm up there so maybe that's it. I'm asking for help with bulb selection as I know there's one that does both but it is expensive. If it will supply the UV light he needs plus the heat though, it may be my best choice.

[sflemin2]

I am glad you are having a good time!

You can just add a regular household light bulb for heat

[dibox]

LOL, the problem with my turtle was that he wouldn't get INTO water.
He liked the dock so much he stayed there for 3 days and nights.

[mikee]

Turtles are temp diven and will respond to temp changes. The average water temp is around 75 to 78 degrees and the basling is around 90 to 91 degrees. If you are near those temps you can try and lower the water temp a degree at a time until you get to about 68. If the ramp is not difficult and the water get cooler they will try and get up to bask and warm up.

[turtlesrmom]

We gotta get those two turtles together.....mine can teach yours to have fun in the water and yours can teach my how to chill...lol!!

Okay, thanks for the help. I never thought about cooling down the water a little. I think what I'm gonna do is order that mercury vapor light that takes care of the UV rays and the heat thing.

Thanks, guys!!

[turtlesrmom]

KRUSH WENT TO HIS BASKING AREA TWICE TODAY! Yahoo! Once yesterday too. Finally I caught him actually climbing up there and kind of staring at the heating lamp and looking mesmerized.

[steve]

Great to hear After a few days, he won't want to come down.

[turtlesrmom]

I think so too. Today I wasn't home but my daughter said he came out 'about 15 times' and once he stayed there 'for 5 whole minutes!' I'm glad he's a normal, happy turtle without any basking phobias.

[kriminologie]

I "tested" my various basking rocks and dock for climb-ability by leaving food there, but it sounds like he wasn't going to be tempted all the way up!