Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can I teach my turtle to recognize me? Every time I approach him, he hides. Can you help me?

Turtles take a little while to get used to you. If he is very young, or you haven't had him for very long, it's very normal. One of the best ways to get your turtle to be more social is hand feeding. Take a favorite food item, like shrimp or a cricket, and hold it in the water. The turtle will come and take it eventually, because they are little piggies, and they are also curious. Soon you will have the turtle eating out of your hand, and begging when he sees you. I have had mine for over a year, and my boy still forgets that I am the source of his food, and hides from me once in awhile. My female hasn't hidden since the hand feeding.

Actually, I've had my turtle for quite a while. I will try your idea though.

they will,,, soon as they figure out how they get fed, mine freak out everytime i go near the tank, but they're such cute beggars, I made the mistake of feeding them by hand, so they do associate food with me now.