All Turtles Message Board

Murtle · Level 1 Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 19

When my turtle was growing too large for her tank and could barely turn around on her rock, I felt sorry for her and placed her on the floor to roam around the apartment to get some exercise. When I finally built a larger tank I added a 2' square "backyard." But she hated it and would only sit on its very edge. Not only that but she tried all kinds of ways to escape. She would boost herself out of the tank the way swimmers can pop themselves out of a pool.

Finally I got tired of devising ways to keep her in after being repeatedly defeated by her manic efforts to escape. So I tilted a board next to her tank so she could get out without falling on her head. She immediately climbed out and marched down the ramp. After her usual perambulations she found her way back and marched back up the ramp.

She now takes at least 2 walks every morning and is much calmer even in the tank, spending more time than before on her (bigger) rock and (still the edge) of her back yard.

Now for my question, everything I have seen posted mentions basking surfaces, not walking areas. How common is her desire for long walks?

TallysMom · Level 2 Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 60

I think you have one smart, curious turtle! How neat that must be, to have the turtle come and go as she wishes.

If she can't get into anything hazardous like household cleaners, or fall down the stairs, or get bitten by the German Shepherd that lives next door or something, I'd say you have Turtle Utopia!

The fact that she seems more calm makes me think she is very happy! I wish I could offer mine something like that, but it's not feasible. I bet a lot of people will wish the same.

dixieee · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:43 am Post subject:

yeah i do too Confused

that's cool Smile

ur turtle might've acted so at the beginning cz it's a new "intruder" in its environment. they usually don't adapt to changes quickly that's why she didn't use the basking area at first. long walks depend on the turtle and its personality. if she's active that's good enough cz u can feed her without worrying Smile

give her something to play with, maybe that's what she wants more
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Murtle · Level 1 Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 19

What do you suggest I give her to play with? Some days she likes to climb on her rock or her wall and dive in a number of times. When she was smaller she liked to chase a cuttlefish bone around to bite it, but she doesn't do that any more. What else (besides pingpong balls) can I put in the water for her to play with?

I've thought of getting another turtle, but when I read about problems others have had I think I better not.

With regard to feeding I notice that she no longer wants to eat as much as when she was smaller and she now refuses fish, which used to be her favorite. This is in line with what is suggested for turtles her age, but i was surprised when the shift came from her.

contact444 · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject:

That's really cool that she can come and go as she pleases. I think that she is letting you know exactly what she wants and it sounds like your pretty perceptive to her needs. I would say it's going great for you and her. If she doesn't want to eat as much and is still behaving normally (basking, swimming, etc.) then just feed her less, her metabolism is slowing and she doesn't require the amount of food she used to.

Sounds like you have the ideal set-up, "free-range" home.
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2 big RES, 1 Flowerhorn Cichlid, 1 Cockatiel. I will alway hold a place in my heart for Daphne, my albino RES.

dixieee · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:19 am Post subject:

that's cz she's getting older and should turn into veggies and fruits. are u trying any? give her green leaves, carrots, and hmm anything that comes to ur mind but chop them into small pieces (maybe a pellet's size).

getting another turtle is not really the choice now, there is a big chance of fighting and injuries. and for toys, think of anything that floats and she could enjoy Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Murtle · Level 1 Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 19

I guess at 7" she should be slowing down in growth (at least I hope so).

She refuses most fruit and veggies I give her except for watercress. But she does devour every single water plant I place inside her tank (She has expensive taste.)

dixieee · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject:

if u stop offering her the food she likes and put floating leaves like lettuce, she'll eat them eventually. they don't starve themselves Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Murtle · Level 1 Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 19

Thanks for the advice.

I guess "free range" pet turtles must be pretty rare judging by the lack of responses to my original post. Too bad. She seems to really enjoy exploring and climbing over everything she finds in her path. So unless she's really odd, I recommend this option to anyone who has a "turtleproof" space.

By the way, for anyone intending to replicate my floor-level setup, the Fluval 404 works just fine once it's been primed and so long as the seal receives a regular coating of Vasilene.

VersteckterGeist · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

woah.. that's really cool!

i'm glad to see your baby is so happy in her home!

my turtles would hit the road the first chance they got lol
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cefira21 · Level 1 Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 24

I usually let my RES go out of his tub during the weekend when I'm home all day. I let him roam inside the room, sometimes I can find him on top of furnitures accessible to him. I've put a plastic basin for him so he can just dip in the water whenever he wants to.

Now I think he's happy with that set up.

But somtimes I let him out in the garden which I think he likes best, course there's plants & soil & sunshine.

Lion777 · Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:28 pm Post subject:

My turtle Meshak would leave and probly won't come back.Zorra I know she'll come back.
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Joshua. I love God's Creations