General Care Discussion :: Turtle just wants to dig in and sleep

[ajludd]

I have a one year old RES, most likely female, who today decided on her turtle walk that she just wanted to dig in the dirt and go to sleep. She loves hiding when I let her out but today she seems a little different. I didn't want to leave her outside so I got a smaller tank and filled it with moist wood chips and let her dig in. I can see her through the glass and she is just zonked out. I have a 30 gallon tank with clean, heated (75 degree) water, plenty of hiding places, and a great basking rock heated by UVB bulbs. Is this just a normal behavior that I haven't seen because she has never been exposed to a good digging spot? I don't think she is gravid. Thanks for your help!

[steve]

How long was she left out? I think she was probably too cold or warm.

[ajludd]

She Does it on all of her turtle walks now. Its a good 75 degrees outside. She just goes for the darkest spot and takes a nap. Other than that she is just fine; I put her back in her cage and she just swims around and basks and eats and is happy as can be. Thanks for getting back to me Steve!

[steve]

You might have to keep her trips out doors a bit short, though she might be a bit shy too.

[ajludd]

Thanks Steve!!!

[justatwinturbo]

Sounds like the animal is stressed out, they don't need to go on 'walks' its not something they would be doing in nature, unless they're a female looking to lay eggs, or during periods of long drouth.