Habitat - Indoor :: How can you entice basking?

[ignites]

One of my turtles really hates to bask and rarely does so even in the correct environment. It seems he just loves playing in the water and rarely loves basking while his tankmate/sister who is more skittish and afraid of human contact seems to enjoy basking a lot more regularly. I was wondering what I can do to entice basking. Heating is correct and everything, i even tried covering up the tank up so he wouldnt be so distracted and afraid to bask he just ended up exploring my paper which i covered (its cute but doesnt get what I want to do!). Its just seems like my RES has some behavioral problem lol. are there turtle whisperers or shrinks i can take him to (I m kidding!). But your input would be great!

[Kemul]

Trying setting up a webcam or something that has a view of the basking area. Remotely view the basking activity, since it's usually a bit difficult to spot turtles basking in early years. Turtles know when someone or something gets near them; they sense vibrations better than sounds.

If you are really worried, take the turtle to bask under morning sun several times a week. Of course, do it when the weather permits. Otherwise, perhaps the turtle just doesn't feel like basking or the need for it yet.

[ignites]

unfortunately its pretty cold in the winter here in canada and i cant take them out. I do in the summer and make them run around (supervised ofcourse lol). You said my turtle might not feel the need for it yet lol... when does it need it

[Kemul]

Well, perhaps when the body needs to grow using calcium from food, which needs to be absorbed by vitamin D, which in turn needs UV.

[ljapa]

One possibility is the temperature difference between the water and the basking area.

Turtles bask partly to thermoregulate. If the basking area is not warm enough, or if the water is too warm, your RES may not feel the need.

What is your water temp, and do you know the basking area temp?

[ignites]

Water is around 76 degrees Basking temp im unsure but aroudn 10 degrees F warmer (just by feel). I dont think it is tempurate issue, my other turtle is fine, this one is just a bit more 'playful' and 'attention seeking' and seems to like to play /get distracted as opposed to bask. He can reach up and occassionally he does but he doesn like to stay especially if hes seen (but i covered the tank up after to try to get him to go up again but no dice!)

[slider_keeper]

Your hand is not a thermometer and does a very bad job of it! Your turtle is probably basking when your not around, they don't have to see you to know your near by. If he/she is eating and is active I wouldn't worry about it. When your turtle stops eating and becomes lathergic then something is wrong. I would get a thermometer to measure basking temps too warm can damage a turtle, too cold is a bad idea for a reptile that relies on heat to thermoregulate their body temp.

[papoopeepoo]

Hands are, indeed, very biased thermometers. Grab a cheap infrared thermometer and a digital food thermometer. The combination of these two devises is an invaluable tool when caring for turtles.