Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I built an outdoor area complete with a 125 gallon pond for my new family members, two male RES turtles. It's been over a month now and they still freak out when I walk by. Whether their just at the surface or basking on the rocks, they dive down to the bottom of the pond in fear.

I figured they be used to me now, as many of you already recommend in other posts, I feed them in a feeding container which requires me to fish them out of the pond. Will they ever get used to me being around them? Any suggestions?

I am fairly new to owning a turtle. I really wanted one and my boyfriend got me a turtle for Christmas last year. I named him Donatello, and he was only 1 1/2 inches. When I brought him home, he was super shy. He didn't eat for like 2 weeks, i tried everything but he eventually came around with shrimp and now he eats everything. I believe it only takes time for them to get to know you and trust you. I think they like it when you talk to them. Your turtle will get over its fear of you for the most part. My little guy stays by the side of the tank im closest to and looks at me when its sun bathing and it no longer jumps back in the water when I come around. (its only been 6 months) Its just natural for them to want to seek shelter, but the more it is around you, the more likely it's fear will go away.

Hello Zak and Sharie:
Red Ears are very easy to tame down but it is best to let them do it on their own. I currently have six of them ranging in size from 3-12" in length. I have raised several others over the years, many of them going to friends of mine. My oldest one currently is a female I've had now for eleven years.
Males seem to be a bit more skittish than females but will tame down after a little while. Two of my females beg for food as does a much older "black" animal that I have . The other female and my most recent arrival, a 7" male are a little spooky still. I feed them a variety of food including fish, insects, dry catfood, trout chow, yellow squash, and some vegetation.
Sometimes they will tame down on their own but other times you have to entice them into trusting you. Try offering them food from your hand before just throwing it in for them to eat. If they don't come over to investigate then drop it in the feeding tank. After a while they will get used to you being around the tank while they eat and eventually lose all fear of you.
I hope this info helps. Good Luck!!!

Try moving slowly around them. In the wild, Ive been able to get within 10 feet of basking turtles by making myself appear to just be blowing in the wind. Try walking like a chameleon with slow steps. Its really hard to describe, but it works. Also, you could set up a blind if youd like to view them without them seeing you. I think fishing your turtles out to feed them may help keep the water cleaner, but really is making them afraid of you, or any 5-6 foot animal that catches them every day. I feed my turtles by hand (or forceps) and they usually swim over to me when I approach the tank. but then, their basking area is obstructed from view of people walking around too.