Urgent Care :: Turtle eating, but behaves strange???

[rockyntrixi]

How big is your turtle?
7 inches

How long have you had it?
3 yrs.

What is the water temperature?
76 degrees

Did you use a thermometer?
yes

Are you using a water heater?
no

How much water is in there?
50 gallons

Are you using any filtration?
yes, canister filter: eheim

What is the basking temperature?
87 degrees

Is there a basking light?
yes

Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on?
yes

What kind is it or what is it made out of?
wood/plexiglass

Is there a UVB light?
yes

What have you been trying to feed it?
mixture of foods

When was the last time your turtle ate?
today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
55 gallon

Is the tank near a window?
no

Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?
some activity

Have you read the Basic Care section?
yes

Have you searched the forums for similar situations?
yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?
yes


So the PROBLEM is:

My turtle has periodically (not constantly) been sitting in the tank with her tail straight out and her anus open wider than usual, every once in awhile flinching a bit. She has no problems eating and my only thought that she may be constipated or something like that. I checked to see if she was egg-bound and couldn't feel anything....The only other thing is that she hasn't 'basked' as much as she used to since I am trying to get her used to a new basking area.

Any suggestions??

[marisa]

A new basking area can take a bit of time. If she has privacy (something around the tank where the basking area is), it might help. Check the temp as well just to be sure.

Has she pooped lately that you know of? If she were constipated, she'd more likely be kicking at her butt with her hind legs. If you think she might be constipated, putting her in a container of water that's slightly warmer than the tank water would help relax her and help her eliminate (if that's the problem).

I'm not sure what you mean by "flinching a bit"...

[rockyntrixi]

what I mean when I say "flinching a bit" is: she will periodically jump and draw her body into her shell like she isn't feeling well.

[steve]

I'm not sure I understand the behavior, is she just frightened?

[rockyntrixi]

She has stopped doing it, but I have seen her do this in the past....

She actually will open her mouth a tiny bit and then 'jump' so that her body will withdrawl into her shell and then at the same time she will pulsate her anus area (her anus will be open as far as she can....almost circular shape).