Reptile & Amphibian Forums

alligator snapping turtles i'm told do not bask. i have a floating log in a 30 callon tank and the turtle is about 4 inches. The log is for him to hide under which he does, but yesturday i found him on top of the log "dead looking" dried out and just hanging over the edge of the log. He's eating the fishes still and the water temp is very good, kinda more on the colder (65 degrees)side since it is winter here in virginia. In the summer the tank is at 75 degrees.

i was wondering what are the reasons for this ? DO i not change his tank water enough ? Do alligator snappers need water changes frequently or once every 3 months ?

do you have an heater in his tank? i try to keep my tank at or above 80 degrees. i've heard alot of people say they raised their water temps up to at least 80 degrees and the snapper started acting "normal" again. it is true that snappers don't bask alot. although its not unheard of for some to bask alot. it also depends on whether its a common or a alligator. good luck, chris

theanimalman

I had the same problem with my litle leucistic a few months ago. Almost lost it. (Its still in the back posts)

There is a very important relationship between water and also air temp.
This herp specialist vet told me that aquatic turtles will instinctually bask to try to raise their body temp and get them selves heatlthy again. Mine was basking even at night when the lights were off. He said thats a normal instinctive reaction.
I had to give mine shots because it was so weak...but more importantly, he had me raise the water temp to mid to upper 80's for a while. I also now keep tape over most of the open areas of the cover and around the filter opening. This raises the humidity and air temp almost right away. Its not good to have only warm water. Its a shock to their resiratory system when they get a gulp of cold ,dry air.
Now I still keep all my guys at about 80 degrees. Even the big ones.
My little leucistic is back to being the most aggressive one at food time and is finally putting on some size.