Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Yellow-Bellied Slider is not basking.He's just getting over a case of pneumonia (he has two shots of antibiotics to go.) and has just started eating again. Mostly grapes. Anyway I added some new mountain rock to his tank to make basking eaiser and he won't bask. Does anybody know if they go through periods where they don't bask everyday or every other day? I have had him for 7 years and I can't recall him going so long without basking. My vet is out of the office till Monday and I would love some opinions before I call him. Thanks.
Nightman1973x

What are your water temps and the basking spot temperature?
If the water or the basking spot is too warm, turtles might not want to bask.

Katrina

He's basking. My vet advised me to create a hot spot on his rocks, so I bought a 100 watt bulb for my old heat lamp and hooked it up along with his flourecent light. I have a submersible heater in the water and the temp is 79-80 F. The temp of his rocks is climbing and has reached 80-82. My vet said to try and get it up to 90.I am trying but I may have to get a bigger bulb. I have spent a small fortune on Pugsley this month and am currently broke so I hope this bulb works. It seems to as he is basking. He's also eating the brand of food the Aquarium uses and grapes. Mostly grapes. Thanks for your advice and intrest. If you ever want to talk turtles, please e-mail me at nightman1973x@AOL.com or message me here. I love learning new stuff.
nightman1973x

Hmm, how close is the light to the basking spot? 100 watts is pretty strong. Even 85 would be fine for the basking spot. Have you tried floating greens in the water? Romaine or leaf lettuce, collards, ect.

Katrina

His light is about a foot from the top of his rocks. I bought a new thermometer and it says it's 90 on the rocks which is what my vet wanted. I lowered the temp last night by turning off his daytime lamps and turning on his nighttime lamp which is black. He waited till this morning when I turned his daytime lamps on to bask. I guess he basked for three or four hours before returning to the water.
I have been trying mustard greens and collard greens with no luck. He just refuses to eat them.He eats the food my vet recomended. Can't tell you the name on here but I couldn't find it in any store. Had to track it down and order it online. It's very high in protein. My vet said to keep trying the greens everyday though. I just need to buy some fresh.He devours grapes. Seedless of corse. He'll eat his turtle food and five or six grapes a day. I have to cut them into pieces for him. I tried a banna last night and he swallowed it but spit it back up. If you could think of any other fruits or vegetables he might like, I would be gratefull.
nightman1973x