my turtles will just stay in one place for hours, is that normal?

Question

i was given two turtles because the person was going to just let them die so i took them.they are in two seperate tanks because they started to fight.i have hollow logs in each ,a soaking dish and try to feed them different foods, i also have lights. they are inside and seem to come out of their shell if i talk to them or play the piano. the tanks are glass but i keep things around them so they can't see out alot.they just stay in one place and i just don't know if iam doing the right things. i don't have a place outside to build them a regular habitat

Answer 1

I would check the bulb you're using for the basking lamp. Make sure its the right one/size for your turtles - Also remove anything that might be around the tank. Turtles can see in color and mine always comes up near the end of the tank when i come into the room. If they can't see anything - they won't react and will stay in the same corner. Also take them out of the tank and let them walk around the house for 30 minutes a week. Gives them excersise and a chance to use their exploration instincts.

Answer 2

My turtle (a red-eared slider) can be very lethargic at times, but that's usually when she's not warm enough. As a guy mentioned above, turtles will try to hybernate in the winter, but it's actually controversial among veteranarians whether or not it's necessary. They usually will try to hybernate--especially if they're not being kept warm enough. Sometimes the breed has a lot to do with it. Like, for example, my turtle needs to be in an environment with a consistant tempurature of 75-85 degrees Farenheit. You'll be able to tell the difference between if your turtles are asleep or just chilling out. They really don't have a lot to do, but they will swim, and if you let them out of their tanks they'll probably walk around, too. But if it gets to the point where they almost never move, stop eating, or anything really different than normal, you should take them to an exotic pet veteranarian.

**If you got these two from someone who was going to just let them die, you may want to take them to the vet right away to have them checked out bc they could be suffering from malnutrition or any number of diseases/ailments. Remember, turtles suffer much more silently, so they need extra close attention to ensure they're healthy. Good luck!!

Answer 3

It really depends what kind of turtles you have, if you have a box turtle or another kind of terrestrial turtle you setup is fine. If not and you have aquatic turtles, you may want to put some more water in there and give them some land. I use one of those floating platforms, they sell them at all pet stores. One other thing to keep an eye on are the lights. Make sure it is not too hot for them in there!(A little temperature gague sticker can help) Also, their inactivity can be due to the fact that it is winter. Reptiles have a tendency to be less active, especially since they never hibernate in their artifical environment. Good luck!

Answer 4

Knowing the species would help a lot. For example, if these are Eastern box turtles, they need slightly cooler temps (70s) but good humidity.

MOST turtles spend most of their day either hiding or basking. In the wild it is difficult to find turtles unless you see them basking somewhere they feel safe.

So- your turtles hiding can mean:
- everything is just fine
- they are avoiding bad micro-climates in the tank, or
- they are being stressed by
= the change in habitats (very common)
= being stared at by giant things (also common in glass tanks)
= bad habitat or diet.

If we knew the species, diet, and more care details (temps, etc.) we could help more specifically.


Try the care pages and articles at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com for more ideas.

Answer 5

Well, my husband built my son a little pond in his room.(Not my idea) He keeps it clean and has two turtles in it. Sometimes the turtles will just sit for hours on their log. They don't fight but I have seen them do this tickling thing with their front claws to each other. I keep watch on them when I'm up so that they don't get out. They have never tried. You sound like you are doing everything right.

Answer 6

What type of lights? What type of turtles. Many need special lights and without them, they will get sick and they will be sluggish.

Answer 7

Turtle doesn't move much. They move just to eat and to mate.. thats all. To run away from predators, they would only need to hid themselves in the shell. BTW.. do they really fighting? or they're doing something else?

Answer 8

yes durring the winter they are in hibernation