General Care Discussion :: Turtles Not Keen on New Basking Platform - Suggestions?

[sophiestephens_]

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone has experience introducing young turtles to a basking platform? Previously I had a lower water level and a ramp of rocks for them to get out of the water and bask on, but now that I have filled the tank and placed a basking platform with a ramp on top they are basking less often. The ramp is pretty steep, but I have see other enclosures with ramps just as steep and I have no way of making it less steep anyhow. I have tried placing a trail of food up to the top, which has worked once, and I also have placed them up there so they realize what is up there and what it is. Any ideas or experience? Thanks!

[Jeremiah]

Do you have any pictures? Are you sure they aren't trying it when you're not around? What is the temperature on the ramp? How close/far is it to your bulb(s)?

Turtles take a long time to get used to environmental changes. There's really nothing you can do, except put some pellets up there, leave the room, and wait for them to take the bait and climb up.

[steve]

I think pictures would be really helpful too. In addition to Jeremiah's questions, how big is the tank and how much water is in there?