Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: Turtle won't return to hiding spot

[KingTurtle]

Hi, I got the cutest hatchling about 3 months ago. I got it a great plastic aquatic plant for the bottom of the tank. It loves to sit in the plant. I was taking it out of the tank for feeding. Yesterday It was sitting in the plant and I reached in and took it out. I felt really bad after like I was pulling him from his safe spot. I know it's only been a day but I haven't seen it return to that plant. I feel like maybe he doesn't feel like it's a safe spot anymore. Do you think I ruined that plant for him or should he return there in the future? I say "it" because I know it takes a few years to know the gender. Thanks in advance.

[michaelg]

The turtle will be fine. Just give him more time. Something else in the tank is probably pre-occupying its attention.

-Michael

[KingTurtle]

Thanks Michael. That makes me feel better

[penelope]

Yeah - these little ones have their "happy spots" and they love food - a tough choice for them.
You can always sit him back in his safe spot after he eats, or if you see him there again just let him be. They have no issue with begging for food when they want it (hungry or not)
Don't feel bad, their moods and interests change. They will love the plants for a week, and then move on and fall in love with the heater (I guess they look for diversity, just like us
So, it's OK - he'll go back to his plants when he is in the mood
p.s. I know he is an "it" for now; I am just using the term "him" generically.
By the way, Welcome To The Forum!!!!!!!

[KingTurtle]

Thanks Penelope. I prefer to "it" "him" most of the time too. Saying "it" sounds to cold. If he turns out to be a she hopefully she won't hold it against me. He does like to hurdle by the heater and go in the underwater caves.

I have read people that they beg for food but I don't know how to recognize the signs of begging. Do they hold out a bowl and say "more"?

[michaelg]

I have read people that they beg for food but I don't know how to recognize the signs of begging. Do they hold out a bowl and say "more"?

Ha! That's funny. You will recognize it when you see it. Basically turtles beg by swimming towards the glass when they see you. They'll start to frantically swim as you get closer. They eventually learn that we feed them. Once they learn that, they will soon learn that the little canister in our hand is where their food comes from and they'll follow the canister as you move it.

-Michael

[KingTurtle]

I look forward to that time. He is still scared of me. He does like to follow my finger when I put it on the glass at the bottom of the tank. I should let him see the canister then. I usually put the food in the feeding bowl right before I put him in there.