Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am finally enlarging my turtle habitat. By repurposing some dead space and a flower bed adjacent to the current enclosure, it's increasing from around 6' x 10' to 30' x 10'. When the addition is finished, I'm going to cut a pass-through in the shared wall so the babies (average 4 yrs. old) will have free access to both areas.

OK, I'm excited about this renovation, but am concerned about how best to introduce them to the new space. Will they be overwhelmed or stressed? I have places for them to hide and will have lots of plants (though at first the plants are still small). Should I place them in the new part or let them find it on their own and let them explore at will?

Any advice would be welcome. I'm hoping to be through in the next week or two.

Sounds like you are stressing more than they ever will. Open it up and let them go explore on their own. They will be fine.

Thanks for confirming what I already suspected

They are so funny! Since the walls aren't 100% complete, of course I can't turn them out yet, but have been taking them one-at-a-time and letting them do some exploring. Some head straight for the nearest "hide;" some head off toward escape-ville; but one and only one goes straight back to the common wall and tries to dig back into the old habitat! Gotta love their little personalities!

All is good! I finished enough yesterday that I could let them have full access, so they spent last night in their new addition (with a cut-through in the shared wall of the old section, they have access to both areas). I put them in the new part. Reactions by the turtles were mixed, from immediately seeking shelter, to exploring, to going back inside the old part. Checked on them this morning and put out fresh food. One baby, Turbo, was out exploring the new part and came to me (when he realized I had food!). He ate, then went back in the old part for a soak. I found almost everyone to show them where the food was, and they all seemed fine -- all but one ate.

I'll take some pictures soon and post them.