All Turtles Message Board

clc4912 · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

I just got two RES babies and they seem to be much more active once the UVB light has been turned off.

When the light is on, they tend to hide out in the plant floating at the top of the tank, however, once the light goes out, they are swimming all over the place. Is this a characteristic?

I have had them for a few days and they have yet to eat, but I am not worried as I have had a wood turtle for several years and any time he gets stressed he will stop eating.

To the point, if they are more of a nocturnal animal, does that mean that they may feed better when the light is off?

Any help is appreciated.

Jdude101 · Level 3 Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 191 Location: Georgia

i dont think they are nocturnal, considering they sleep at night. But early night they dont have to worry as much about predators in the wild, and so if you consider that you just got them, they will be more active with the light off, but about the feeding, if they are still getting used to their new home, they could take a week to eat, just give them time

clc4912 · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

The issue regarding predators is what I figured. I had not heard of a nocturnal turtle, but thought that I would ask. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and sure enough, they were sleeping.

As for the eating, they both began to eat today quite well, so I think that they will be okay.

Fred_and_George · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Turtles are definately not nocturnal. i agree with Jdude, they are just getting used to their new surroundings. they are probably scared a bit and not sure whats going on, so just give them a few days and feed them as normal, they get over it
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clc4912 · Level 1 Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

They are definately over it now. They are already recognizing me. Whenever I walk by the tank, they swim to the front and begin to beg for food.