All Turtles Message Board

LeoBrZ81 · Guest Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Hey guys,

I'm new here and joined because I finally found a place to get good answers and advice on how to handle pet turtles. And I have quite a few...

Lately, my turtle's been very, very agitated. I've been told that it's normal for them to be hyper, but in my opinion, mine seems insane, for lack of a better word. Here are some things he does that concern me:

1) He keeps clawing at the glass and I'm pretty sure he's trying to escape. He does it a lot at night, and I go crazy with the noise of his shell hitting the glass. Does this mean my tank is too small and I should get a bigger one for him to stop?

2) I have a little rock set up for his basking area, where he can climb up the rocks and reach a dry area with lighting above it for heating. Thing is, he hardly ever basks (he used to a lot), and instead just knocks over the rocks like he's angry or something.

3) He seems fine with me when I approach him and he is in his tank, he even comes closer when he's hungry. But when I pick him up (to clean the water, etc.) he freaks out, clawing the air and doing whatever he can to escape. When I place him out of his tank and someone else, he runs away when I approach. I thought he should be used to me by now (have had him for 2 years).

This stuff have been going on for a while now, and I'm thinking he's unhappy in the tank. I think letting him out into a community lake/pond or something would be too much of a shock for him, so I don't know what to do to make him 100% happy in his tank.

All advice is very, very welcome!

Thank you in advance,

- Leo

P.S.: The tank is filled up 1/4 with water. Is it a good idea to fill it up to about 3/4? As corny as it sounds, Im kind of afraid he might not reach the top to breathe well... and if so, where can I buy a high enough basking area for him?

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

What size tank do you have for your turtle now? 3/4 water is good, as long as they have an area to dry off in they are ok. What is your temps at?

Fred_and_George · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

there are floating docks that attatch to the side of the tank with suction cups. they will float at the surface of the water, and you can set them up in such a way that when you add more water, the dock compensates for that and moves up as well.it has a lower part like a ramp for the turts to climb up on, and comes in three sizes. i personally have the medium, and that works fine, its a bit big now, but they will grow into it. it is also good because instead of taking up water space, it provides a cave like area underneath that you can decorate to make it a happy turtle area.

as for your turtle not seeming happy in his tank, do you have hiding places? liek plants or underwater caves? if not, i would definately suggest investing in them,plastic plants are not expensive, they are 5 bucks at most for the plastic ones. and they come in all kinds of colours and shapes. real plants add a nice touch, and your turtle will nibble them, but do some research if you want to buy real ones, buy kinds that turtles like.

what size is your tank? if you have had your turtle for 2 years, then i will asssume that he has grown a lot. anything less than 20 gallons is too small, and even then, 20 is on the small side. when it comes to tanks, bigger is better, and they like to swim, so put lots of water in. they are water creatures, and with plastic plants, they will have something to hang on to to breathe, if you are taht worried about it. 1/4 full is not enough by any stretch, so fill it up!
_________________
I love my turtles! Smile