Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How do I get my turtles to bask when i'm in the room? I know they bask when i'm not in the room because i spy on them some times.
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Denise (Mom) and/or Jared (son)
Take care!

Hi. From what I understand, basking behavior has a lot to do with the individual personality of your turtle(s). Some are just more skittery than others. Crumpet, who I've had for about 3 months, will bask in front of me, but he'll slide into the water if I make any sudden movements (his tank is on my desk, right next to my laptop, where I spend almost all of my time if I'm actually in my room and not asleep). He'll also fling himself into the water if any of my friends come in the room. I guess that's just a natural slider reflex.
As for your turtles, I wish I could help you other than suggesting that you and/or your son try spending more time in the room. It seems like, often, the more your turts get used to seeing you, the more comfortable they'll be around you in general. But I wouldn't worry too much, as long as they bask. Crumpet basks more when I'm not around (I've also spied on him). Maybe your turtles are just happy to see you, and don't want to sit on some boring old rock. Peace.
~Amanda
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0.0.1 Crumpet
In this world, this new world of ours, there will be rocking.
~Dave Eggers

Haha... I've actually have been dealing with the same thing with my 2 pelomedusa subrufa (african sidenecks). I'm trying to be around their tank more, so that they will get used to me (and realize that I am not a threat to them). They are starting to recognize me as the one who feeds them, so they beg a lot when I'm nearby. However, I still only see them bask when I am spying on them. A few thoughts...
1) They might stop basking when I approach them because they think I am going to feed them.
2) They still might be shy.
3) As long as I know they are basking, things are alright.

Hi, that's a problem that I have and it's gotten worse lately. I'm pretty sure he's basking but I can't prove it. My mom is my only witness during the day and she's legally blind so she can never get close enough to the tank to actually see him bask. Only times I ever really get to see my turtle bask is if I've been vegging in front of the TV most of the day and I happen to see him climbing up to his rock at which time I usually grab my binoculars and act the "peeping tom".

>>How do I get my turtles to bask when i'm in the room? I know they bask when i'm not in the room because i spy on them some times.
>>-----
>>Denise (Mom) and/or Jared (son)
>>Take care!

Mine does this too. Actually when he was a baby he seemed less she then he is now. I usually walk into my room to here a big SPLASH! I guess that it only makes sense that a turtle feels safer in the water then out of it.

>>Mine does this too. Actually when he was a baby he seemed less she then he is now. I usually walk into my room to here a big SPLASH! I guess that it only makes sense that a turtle feels safer in the water then out of it.

I've noticed that my turtle really likes to hide. Each time I do a complete turn out of his water and a tank cleaning, I've been trying to make his habitat better (This last time, he didn't even attempt to escape the tank so he must have liked it) and easier to clean. I used the brick that I usually lay flat at the bottom and put it on it's side almost flush against the side (it's holding one of the "plants" down and against the tank wall). My turtle REALLY loves to hide behind the brick, almost completely under the "waterfall" from filter.

I improved his basking area over the weekend, using a plastic basket I cut out one side and made it into a "cave". Since its frosted plastic and has small holes in it, I guess it couldn't really be called a cave, but my turtle really seems to like it. There is enough room in there for him to stick his head up and breath fresh air. I'm holding it down with a piece of broken tile so it doesn't float away and threaded "plant life" into some of the holes on the side so it looks viney. The side that I cut out, I'm using for my turtle to climb onto the basking area but so far he has ignored that in favor of the "vines" which he prefers to climb. Its amazing how strong the little guys are. He really likes going into the cave since the water gets nice and warm underneath the basking area.

Sorry for rambling on, I tend to get enthusiastic when talking (or in this case, writing) about my turtle.