Habitat - Indoor :: ATBA ramp

[ataraxiamb]

I see now that he has plenty of space to swim. I'm stumped on this one. But always rooting for Gertrude!!

[steve]

Is this his first ATBA?

[mark_alexandre]

It is - yes. Before it's always been ramps of some kind, whether the ZOO MED ramps, or that acrylic one with the green stripes.

[steve]

When you left food up there, did he go up and eat it or just ignored it?

[mark_alexandre]

I put a few pieces of the normal "stick" pellets I give him. I did notice that they disappeared after a few days, but I am not sure if that is a product of him eating them, or just knocking them around (or pulverizing them) on his visits up and down the ATBA

[steve]

I would keep leaving it up there, to get him use to going up the ramp.

[mark_alexandre]

OK - I will definitely take that advice. Thanks Steve.

Couple questions on that though - just for my own education. Don't turtles need to eat in the water? Does that mean he would go grab the food and drag it under the water? Also, are their sense of smell that good that he can smell the food up there?

[steve]

They don't produce saliva so it's very difficult and most won't try. I won't say it 100% impossible but they are unlikely to do it. They will be willing to get out of the water to grab it and then go back. I'm not sure how good their smell is but they will get used to a routine if you create one.

[Kansasslider]

I know their sight is outstanding . They see me when im fishing and get off their basking spot I would say at 60 feet or longer.