General Care Discussion :: No tank

[Crazymansun]

Is it okay to leave your turtle outside a tank? I sometimes let my turtle walk around freely in the living room. Then during feeding time, I put her in a tank.

I've been doing this since she has been as large as my hand, and she doesn't seem to be having any troubles or anything.

[scripta_elegans]

As long as she can't hurt herself, get stuck, or escape, and you give her a good rinsing before putting her back in the tank it's fine. Furthermore lots of folks here do it, and have great "wandering Free" stories.

[Crazymansun]

Cool! It makes me feel better that you said others are doing it too.

Yeah, it's true about their "wandering stories" since my family and I have never ending chats about where they walk or hide.

[missibsu]

Are you saying that they only time she is in her tank is when you feed her? I'm not opposed to free wandering, but RES ae aquatic turtles and they can dehydrate.

[Crazymansun]

Are you saying that they only time she is in her tank is when you feed her? I'm not opposed to free wandering, but RES ae aquatic turtles and they can dehydrate.

Sorry, I should've clarified. I have her wander occasionally, and feeding time isn't the only time she's in the tank.

[Kallistos]

I took my turtles out once, they withdrew into there shell and for ten minutes they stayed like that. So I put them back in there tank, for about 15 minutes that acted as if they'd never been in the tank in their life....I wonder if turtles can have mental disorders?

[Crazymansun]

I took my turtles out once, they withdrew into there shell and for ten minutes they stayed like that. So I put them back in there tank, for about 15 minutes that acted as if they'd never been in the tank in their life....I wonder if turtles can have mental disorders?

Hahahha, that happens when they first come out. They get use to it if you bring them out more. But I don't think it's a good idea to get hooked up with bringing them out too much.

[myeeyore174]

i have 2 RES and they love to walk around my house. i think it gives them a chance to become more friendly with their owner.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Is it okay to leave your turtle outside a tank? I sometimes let my turtle walk around freely in the living room. Then during feeding time, I put her in a tank.

I've been doing this since she has been as large as my hand, and she doesn't seem to be having any troubles or anything.

LOL! I have been letting my turtles out periodically to walk around my living room for 18 yrs. They love it & it allows them to thoroughly dry out, which is good for them sometimes. As long as you keep other pets (dogs/cats) away from them when they are walking & make sure everyone in the house knows that the turtle is walking around (so they don't get stepped on), there is no problem with letting them out daily.

HOWEVER, you should provide a tank for them to actually "live in." They should not be kept *permanently* outside of a tank. The walks around the living room should be limited to *less than* 8 hours daily. The rest of the time, they should live in a tank. Just feeding them daily in water isn't enough for them.

RES's are "semi-aquatic" which means they DO need to live in water for *at least* 1/2 a day. RES's are not "land turtles" (tortoises) which can't swim & have feet/arms which are meant for walking on land. RES's do need to be in water. Their hands/legs weren't meant for walking on the land 100% of the time & have webs for that reason.

[Muirner]

RES's do need to be in water. Their hands/legs weren't meant for walking on the land 100% of the time & have webs for that reason.

That is the first thing i saw when i recieved my RES's... That was my first clue to the fact they were aquatic... i was like wait... Ducks have webbed feet, and these turtles do too... hmmmm maybe they would like water? and that's where my starting with RES's began

[Crazymansun]

Wow, 18 years. Next year, it's probably going to be the 7th year since I had my adult turtle.

[FanOfTurts]

I let my Shea (young adult RES) walk around my room for a little while and yes, I do keep an eye on her when she goes exploring. Lol