Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a newbie with two baby red eared sliders. They seem to be healthy, both swimming and eating fine. But one seems to enjoy basking more than the other. He just sits up there all day until I take him out to feed him. He does jump down from time to time to take a dip, but then gets right back up. The other one however I haven't seen bask at all. He just swims around rapidly. He's a lot more active and looks almost like a gerbil in a wheel trying to swim through the glass but not going anywhere. I was just wondering if these behaviors are abnormal or if they're just expressing their own little personalities?

I think both behaviors are normal and nothing to worry about.

im gonna be a newbie to res's too! Congrats on your new pals!
i read this on i think it was austins turtle page but it could be at [bleep] .com that you need to cover up all sides of the tank because the turtles get stressed out buy being able to see thru the glass and want to get out, seeing as im a newbie don't quote me on this but i know i have read it a couple of times now.

all the best to you and your turtles!

Nicole

I guess some turtles that are not used to glass aquariums might be nervous. It's not natural. Mine on the other hand is the opposite. I switched to a plastic tank becuase it was bigger and he became timid becuase he couldn't see when I came into the room or anything I was doing. He enjoys the glass becuase he gets to watch me. I do find that he chooses a corner in the glass aquarium and swims non stop for a while, but then again he still does that with the rubbermaid.

hi! that sounds like a realistic way of looking at it, i would also like my turtles to be comfortable with me and my husbands presence. i read that some res even distinguish between their owners and strangers and children! Aren't these lil' guys amazing? im looking forward to owning res, you are very lucky

Cheers,

Nicole
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this is how a Res looks when he eats