Habitat - Indoor :: Turtle Reluctant to bask on new dock

[stealthpilot]

I just built a new basking area for my turtle, and he has only made a couple attempts to get on it, half hearted at best.

I'm wondering if he will just do it eventually, or if he is physically unable to do it.

The new setup has been installed for about a week. Below are some pictures.


This is the overall shot.


This is the ramp itself. It is 1/2 plywood with repto turf and I added the corkboard to give it a little extra room.


Underwater shot of the ramp.


This is a shot of the old light setup, I reversed them hoping he would see that there is a basking lamp, and he would go to it. You can also see how big my turtle is, about 6in SCL.

Also, the tank is in a rather high traffic area, next to the living room. He has had no problem basking in the bask with his old floating dock, even basking while we watch TV. We are gone most of the day, and we used to come home to him basking, leading to him diving for safety as we open our stubborn deadbolt. I don't know why he won't take to this new, larger area.

Any reason my turtle won't bask?

[SpotsMama]

What are the temperatures on the basking platform and of the water? The most common reason that they won't bask is that there isn't enough difference between the coolness of the water and the warmth of the basking platform. Turtles are naturally attracted to warmth. There should be at least 10 degrees fahrenheit difference - water at 78 and basking area at 90, for instance. If the turtle won't bask as 90 degrees, try raising the basking temp a couple of degrees.

You can't really tell what the temp of the water or basking platform is without measuring it with a thermometer. I'm still surprised at how far off I am in estimating temperatures by how it feels alone.

[RunninWideOpen]

It only took my turtles a few days before they starting going on the dock I built. It was a good couple weeks before they actually seemed comfortable up there.

Does it seem like he's really struggling to get up on the dock, or is he just not trying very hard? To me, the angle looks good and it looks like it sticks under the water far enough. The only thing, is that maybe the cork bark at the bottom is a little too slippery for him.....could you add some turf all the way down?

That is a very nice looking setup! You did a great job on it! Only one thing I would add.....a top! It looks like your turtle could definitely climb over that with ease. That only looks about 6" high? But, they're able to climb that wire stuff no matter how high it is. Heck, I caught one of mine scaling a flat, straight 6-foot wooden fence once. Luckily I caught her, but I had to remind her she is a turtle.

[stealthpilot]

Thank you for your compliments. It is a 6'' high wire barrier. The tank itself has a lip that goes in about 2'', so I think he will be ok, but I will keep an eye on him.

I have seen him try to get up before I put the cork on, and he looked like it was a combination of a struggle and him being lazy. I'll order some more turf and consider running the corkboard a little further down, so maybe he will be able to rest completely before coming up.

Thanks for the time table, I have been letting him out of the tank so at least he can dry off once a day.

[industrial_girl_2000]

That's a wonderful basking area! Nice job.

You could try boosting the temp of the basking area by adding an additional household lamp (maybe a 75W bulb). What kind of lamp do you have there right now?

[stealthpilot]

The water temp is about 75, and I used a meat probe and it read 85 directly in the bulb path, and 79 at the waters edge by the ramp. Should I try with a regular air thermometer?

The lamp now is a reptisun 50w. I've been thinking of getting a 75w or 100w, it just doesn't feel warm enough for me.

[N4784N R4613]

Yeah I would bump the temp up to about 90F under the bulb.

[RunninWideOpen]

I'd go with a 75W....I always hesitate to just jump to the 100W because they can be way too hot, and I've read of turtles "cooking" under their basking lamps before.

I like to have lamps of all different wattages anyway, I change them out from season to season to keep his temperature more consistent.

[marisa]

Can you put something around the wire that goes around the basking area so he can't see out? If he's in an area where there's quite a bit of traffic like you said, perhaps more privacy, along with a little more time and warmth, might help. (Check the basking area temp with a thermometer.)

[N4784N R4613]

Maybe the Repti carpet is too slippery when wet?

[stealthpilot]

I have put him on the dock ramp and he is able to pull himself up on his own. I just think he is shy. After I get the new 75watt lamp I'll give him a few days, then I'll make the corkboard a little further in the water so maybe he can get his entire bottom on the ramp.

I've put some cardboard around the top around his dock, and everyone will be gone for Thanksgiving, spare my roommate who will be able to take care of him. So the apartment will be pretty quiet.

Thanks again for all your replies.

[stealthpilot]

Good news, he has finally got up on his new area!





Now I don't have to be so paranoid about him drying off and warming up!

[N4784N R4613]

YAY!!! Glad to hear, and see it!!!

[RunninWideOpen]

That's awesome!! I remember being so excited when mine used the out-of-tank basking area I made. It was so rewarding.