Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I received two RES a few weeks ago and I really want them to like me.
1. I read somewhere that turtles like to be rubbed/scatches under the belly and on their heads. Is that true? or if not, is there any other way I can pet my turtles?
2. I like to play w/ my turtles by having them keep walking on my hands and up my arms. Are my turtles having fun too? or do RES not like to be handled.
3. How would I know if my turtles likes something or not? it's not like they have facial expressions. So far I'm just taking it as a good sign that they don't keep hiding in their shell when I handle them, but any other way to tell if they like their tank or being handled by me? I don't want to stress them out if any way... I hear they can get sick from being stressed.

do not handle them unlesss you are giving them a check up or cleaning the tank. they aren't the type of animal to play with like a cat...leave them be, watch them. enjoy them. love them. but don't overstress them by taking them out all the time

I agree, I never handle mine except for when I do a water change, maybe once a year. They do like to beg at the front of the tank, and they don't dive into the water when I walk by so they are comfortable around people, but they aren't really animals to play with.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

Red ear sliders are highly aquatic and to be unwillingly taken out of the water is stressful for them. Mine will follow you around (inside their tank of course), but they do not like to be handled. Even though some people would argue with me about this (bring it on!), but each individual turtle has it's own personality. No, they may not give you facial expressions, but once you've been around them long enough, you learn to read 'turtle language'. I do alot of rescues and have seen alot of turtles in my time, and really no two are the same. Some are laid back and easy going, others would cuss you out if they could. But one thing that mostly all aquatics have in common is, they feel unsafe out of water. Best of luck with your new guys and congrats on the rescue. ~Christy~

My friend had a female RES for 7 years, and he sometimes takes her out of the water at night and lets her wander around his apartment and puts her back in the water the next morning... She often follows him around from room to room, and would even come up to him if he's sitting/laying on the floor. So I guess it's possible for an RES to like its owner and his/her company, I don't know how rare that is, maybe my friend is just lucky with his RES.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I'll have to lay off the handling then. Hopefully eventually they'll follow me or something. Thanks again.