Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:05 am
Jumping into the water quickly after a sudden noise or environmental change is normal in turtles. Mine still does it and I've had her for almost 3 years. You can try some things to make the turtle feel safer.
Move her out of a high traffic/high noise area. Sometimes you just have to try a new location for the tank. Put up a piece of fabric or even that Glad press-and-seal stuff around the tank at her basking area. Keep the noise and distractions to a minimum around the tank.
If she continues not eating and becomes lethargic, you should take her to a vet as soon as possible. But if she just decided she didn't want to eat or beg just this one time, don't worry about it.
I am concerned about your one statement. "I was sleeping she was in basking". If she is living in your bedroom with you, you need to find a mutual awake/asleep time, as you two will do more harm to each other than good. What are your normal bedtimes? Ideally, you want your turtle's lights on for 12 hours, like 7 am to 7 pm. If you are still awake at midnight with lights on, you are disturbing her sleep cycle. You can try setting up curtains around the tank to disturb her less. She may be acting skiddish because she isn't getting her full "night time". Remember that outdoors, they would only have the natural light. With them indoors with us, they lose that natural cycle if we are doing things with lights or noise.
JAX
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Baby Boy - January 9th, 2011! (3 months old)
1 RES - 7" long - Umi (3.5 years old)
1 black lab/hound mix - Josie (1.5 year old)
2 cats - Mysti and Molly (6.5 years old)
