General Care Discussion :: chicken turtle

[hannah.26]

Hi Everyone -

our hatchling is still scared to bask in front of us and hides whenever he notices us in the room...how long should it take him to get used to us?


we've had him for about a week and a half now.

Thanks!

Hannah

[Rush]

I think it's normal for a turtle to be startled at a sudden movement. Rush still does it, and (s)he's three years old now. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

[missibsu]

Mine are a year and still run. Some turtles never get used to it. In the wild it's natural instinct. Don't worry about it too much!

[industrial_girl_2000]

It takes time, sometimes several months for a turt to truly get used to you.

A few things to try:
Put the turt tank in a public place where he/she sees a lot of people all the time. This will help them get used to seeing people coming/going.

Divide the turt's daily food portion into small pieces. Every time you go up to the tank, feed him a tiny morsel by hand. He/she will soon associate you with food & this helps a lot!

Don't make sudden or jerky movements in front of the tank since this can scare them. Gentle movements are best. Talking soothingly to the little guy is good too.

[jridge]

Probably because she associates me with being pulled out of the tank !! I take her out to feed her and during cleanings and water changes.....My daughter can come right up to him and he will follow her all around the room......

[KellyP]

How long it takes for them to get comfortable with you depends on the turtle. I've had my two hatchlings for about 2 months now. One of them was friendly and unscared of us within just a few days and the other one even now hides when she see's us. So I guess it all depends on the indivifuals personality.

[JuelisKaylee]

I'm just like you KellyP. I have two turtles and my one turtle does the same thing while the other is as bold as can be. When I get home and walk pass the tank if Kobe (Mr. Shy) is baskng he practically back flips into the tank (that's how fast he is). Kalyee on the other hand, she just stays there with all her limbs sticking out and watches me as I pass by. Like you say I guess He's just shy, I hope so. When it comes to feeding it puts him at a disadvantage because he's busy running from me and Kaylee (who I sometimes have to hold back or detor using my little stick thing) tries to eat ALL the food in the tank.

[missibsu]

Just make sure Kobe is getting his share. It might help if you remove Kalyee while you are feeding Kobe. Just a thought!

[JuelisKaylee]

He does, they both have their seperate feeding corners, so I usually occupy Kaylee first and then give Kobe his share. I think she eats more than him though...she has an apetite out of this world. Also when i give them alternate foods like chicken he does not like it and will not eat it while she will. I'm going to buy some lettuce today to see if he will eat that, for variety.

[marisa]

For plant matter, also try an aquatic plant like anachris.

[JuelisKaylee]

The thing is Kobe only eats the little turtle pebbles...I would cut up grapes and lettuce for them and kaylee would eat it but if i put it next to Kobe he would ignore them. Is anyone else experiencing this. I'm worried that the lack of variety in his diet might hold him back.

[missibsu]

Some turtles take to veggies easier than others, you can't give up on him. The sooner the transition is done, the easier it will be. You can try mixing the veggies with a bit of tuna juice for the smell value. I also know that industrial_girl_2000 mixed her veggies with a bit of canned cat food and that did the trick for her. Just because the turt my turn his nose up at one veggy doesn't mean he will do it with all veggies either. Keep trying!

[JuelisKaylee]

Oh ok thanks for the suggestions.