Do turtles like natural sunlight?

Question

My red eared sliders seem to always run to a dark spot. Do they like/need natural sunlight?

Answer 1

no..they love shade.

Answer 2

yes they need light. It doesn't need to be natural, it just needs to be a full spectrum light. In other words, a light that emits UVA and UVB rays. Without it their shell could soften which is very painful for the turtle. It may just be to hot in the tank. He needs the temp to vary from one side of the tank to the other. one side should be about 70-75 degrees, the other 90-95 degrees. the light should be on 10-12 hours a day. You also need an incandescent light or ceramic heater to keep him warm all the time.

Answer 3

This can signal either fear/stress (if it runs when you come by), or that the rest of the tank is too warm or uncomfortable.

Turtles DO like natural sunlight- but they also need shady hiding spaces. They need the warmth of the sun to warm them when they want it, and they use the UVB rays to help create vitamin D3 in their skins- which humans do as well. They use the D3 to help metabolise calcium.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 4

Yes. If the turtle seems to be sleeping too much, give it some sunlight. This makes it want to wake up.

Answer 5

They will come into the sunlight and bask when the area has become "home" to them and they have adapted to the rhythms of their day. When you "take" them outside it's more like "where the **** are we?" So if you can build a semi permanent pond type area where the rocks and water and land remain the same, they will become familiar with it. Otherwise, yeah- they run and hide.

Answer 6

turtles like sunlight, but they are always fearful of predators [even if they have lived there whole life in a cage] its an instinct thing. if they feel to much out in the open, they will go run for cover.

Answer 7

They don't just like it, they NEED it. If your turtle is not getting proper UV lighting, its shell will begin to soften and deteriorate. How hot is it in your tank when the light shines in? Do you already have a heat-lamp in there? If so, you need to make sure you've purchased a reptile bulb that provides the required UV rays. You should go talk to your local pet shop about it.

Answer 8

I believe turtles are cold blooded animals, that means they cannot regulate their temperature by themselves, so I guess they need to be able to move to shade or sunlight as needed, but you might want to find out more.

Answer 9

No. They like UV lamps.
Of course they like natural sunlight. The don't know anything unnatural

Answer 10

YES...we have one. He is 17 yrs old. They need to eat underwater. BUT, they typically bask in a window of sunlight on flat rocks. They need that. We never take ours outdoors...just under the window for light. It can be indirect light, too.
http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Answer 11

do they run to a dark spot when you walk near them. then their doing it as a defensive thing for themselves they are trying to hide so they don't get eaten so to speak. but usually turtles do like the sun they will basks on rocks and logs in their normal habitats so your turtles probably do the same thing