Turtle behavior question?

Question

A few months ago, I got a red ear slider (about 4-5"). Then about a month ago, I inherited my sister's yellowbelly and western painted which I let live with my red ear slider (the 3 of them are about the same size). There doesn't seem to be any aggression. I noticed that my red ear slider is spending a lot of time in the water, sleeping perhaps? His head is always underwater. He hardly ever basks even though the other 2 do it all the time. The basking area is big enough of all of them. I'm housing them in a HUGE tank, water temp is what it's suppose to be, and so is the basking area temp. I've also got the needed UVB bulb. I did tons of research! I was just wondering if it's normal behavior for my RES to spend so much time under water. He eats just fine, doesn't look sick. Should I put another basking area somewhere else for him to use? Any idea?

Answer 1

Reptiles just don't cohabitate well. They are always in competition for basking spots and food. One may attempt to intimidate or dominate the others, causing stress and illness. They really do better housed singly. Did you quarantine them for awhile? They could be carrying illness that spread to yours.

Fave turtle site:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/

Answer 2

SLEEPING A LOT:
This is a big indicator of health problems (see 'Not Basking' above). Usually, this is rectified by an adjustment in temperatures. Turtles that are cold will generally sleep a lot. Try raising the temperatures to the specified settings for your species and give it a day. If this does not help, then seek a qualified vet as soon as possible. Also, be alert for other signs or symptoms that could indicate the possible causes/illness.

NOT BASKING:
There are a number of reasons your turtle is not basking. The basking area may be too hot, the water might be too warm, the turtle may not feel safe to bask with you present and may be basking, unbeknownst to you, while you are away, or an illness is present. Something to try is to sneak a peek at them once they have been left alone for a while. By peeking in through the window, I found some of my "never basking map turtles" actually basking, all stretched out and stacked on top of each other. As soon as I walked in, they were back in the water, with no signs of them ever being out.

If you find that they definitely are not basking at all, then check the temperature on their basking spot and in their water. If it is too hot, they aren't going to bask, or they may attempt to bask, but not stay there for long.

NOT EATING:
There are numerous possibilities why your turtle has either not eaten anything, or has stopped eating. Some possibilities are stress, sickness, aggressive feeding by other turtles, their habitat is too cold, incorrect dietary items, putting food in the wrong place (ie: on land for aquatics) or a variety of other reasons. Fixing the problem requires that you identify the reasons for your turtle's not eating. Some eat well, but will not eat ReptoMin or other floating turtle foods. These types you simply have to work with in getting them to take the prepared food items.