All Turtles Message Board

k9ck024 · Level 2 Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 96

Do Red Eared Slider turtles sleep? I never see my two turtles sleep. is there a problem?

Fred_and_George · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

they do sleep.they sleep at night like us, which could be why you havent seen it. are you turning their lights off at night? they need it to be dark. otherwise, they will sleep when they need to sleep.
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k9ck024 · Level 2 Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 96

ive been sleeping very late this couple weeks around 1-3am. i turn off the downstairs light around 12am but when i check on them couple hours later they still awake. i put small night light close to the tank. is that why they dont sleep?

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

I'm getting a 40 gallon tank with uvb lamp and a heat lamp, owners said so long as the room ain't freezing it'll be fine without a submersible water heater....

But if I turn the lamps off the let it sleep, you figure it'll get too cold? I keep my room between 15 and 20 centigrade, 59 to 68 Fahrenheit .

ryanandsuzyro · Level 3 Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 207

Quick tip, get an automatic timer and plug your lights into it on a good cycle, it'll make life way easier.

If you're keeping your lights on 12-14 hours a day, the night cool down shouldn't hurt it. The sliders temp is mid-seventies for adults, right? If it was "the wild" it would be colder at night. He'll be fine. If you're unsure, grab a submersible heater to maintain a +70 degree temperature at all times.

Whatever you do stick in a submersible/sticky thermometer so you know the water temperature for sure. Then there's no guesswork.

As far as sleeping, I think turtles are really sensitive... they have great vision and seem to always wake up when you try to watch them sleep. Instinct?

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

Oh gawd...
I'm happy my girlfriend is going half and half with me on this!

This $10 adopted turtle is already up over $300!

And that's after haggling with a dozen different pet shops!

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

Well if this is a res, then this is definite confirmation that they do sleep!

We got the timers, but I have a question about his sleep pattern.
The heat is at a constant warm temperature.
When there is food involved, he is quite quick and active.

Yet lately, all he does most of the day is sleep in his cave, come up for air, then sleep in his cave.

He hasn't been basking, or moving around his aquarium much either.

I-LOVE-TURTLES · Level 3 Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 262 Location: My House

How long have you had him?? If he is a new turtle to your home then he will not do much for a while.... as he is trying to get used to his new house! Smile

Hope i helped.

Kayti
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3 very funny dachshunds!
1 odd RES

Bubonic · Level 2 Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 81

Just a couple of weeks, I've now figured out how to have a higher water level, while maintaining a basking area.
What I've done is propped my zoo med turtle dock ontop of the cave and he loves it.
Basked for an hour an a half in front of me.

blackforce247 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

in the past i had a red eared slider female about an inch wen i boguht her. i thought that she would be fine but everytime i tapped the glass she wouldnt move. so shes dead now but i got a 5 inch female to replace her. so everytime she sleeps i have to tap the glass to make sure she's not dead. and trust me she shows alot of sighns of death. her legs spread out her eyes closed and thats what worries me and forcwes me to bang the glass. trust me i know its annoying to her but im soory but its at my risk bcause i dont have the money ot get another one or the money to get her supplies

tiptop_tosser · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject:

Well, i had the same problem, my missus said we had to turn out the lights to get my turtle to sleep at night, we did, and finally i saw her sleeping, in the water mind u, but propped against the thermo heater, but the bugger woz asleep lol

Fred_and_George · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

Just to clarify: yes, turtles do sleep. Yes they sleep during the day sometimes. Unless you see signs of laboured breathing or if they are not eating, then you are fine. Otherwise, let them do their thing. Obviously, if they are underwater in the same place for more than a day, give them a little check up. the timer suggestion is gold, i have one and its brilliant, they dont have to go on my sleep schedule of lights on/lights off, so its better for them. Sleep is important, let them get it. i also agree with whoever was talking about the heat thing, but your temps MAY be a tad cold... a heater is a good investment, especially in the winter when ALL temps go down a bit.
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I love my turtles! Smile

linnypoooh · Level 2 Joined: 06 Sep 2006 Posts: 32

my 5 RES turtles do sleep at night... they primarily sleep in the water... at least the older ones... I have one baby one that likes to sleep on dry land..