Habitat - Indoor :: Make Turtle Feel Safer on Basking Dock

[KingTurtle]

Hi I have a zoo-med turtle dock basking platform for a 3 or 4 months old res. The res will bask but gets very afraid is anyone even tip toes into the room. The dock is flat. I am trying to give him some cover by putting leaves from his favorite type of plastic plant on the dock. I am arranging them so they don't block the light. I hope he will feel more safe with some cover. Do you think this is a good idea? Any other ideas?

The water temp is 78 and basking dock is between 92-95. I am using a glass tank thermometer laid on the basking dock. I lay the thermometer the way he usually lays on the dock. I find the way I angle the thermometer makes a big difference in the measured temp.

Thanks

[steve]

You could add some cover outside of the tank. You don't need to always keep the thermometer there, if the temps have good range and he can move around the basking area then you should be fine.

He will get used to people but will still occasionally get down when people are around.

[penelope]

Yeah - they can be skittish. My gal goes flying off the dock every now and then even though she is totally used to tons of noise.
Don't worry. It's OK. You don't always have to tip-toe into the room. Sometimes talking (or whispering) to them as you enter / approach keeps them from being caught off guard.
As for your question. There is nothing wrong with giving them some plants for privacy. Maybe let them hang on the outside of the tank so he feels like there is privacy and gets light. I believe that, like kids, if they can't see you then they think they are alone

[mcpree]

Its all random, sometimes mine just stares at me even if I take out my camera and take my time to take a nice picture. Other times, he just jumps into the water and swims away.
I observed sometimes, he just likes climbing up the ramp and dive back into the water.

[cutepanda86]

Sheldon does the same thing. I walk into the room and his reaction is to "Swim Away!" Of course wen he thinks no one is looking, he'll get back up on his rock. lol Not a big deal as long as your little one basks. I like the plant idea.

[KingTurtle]

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess all turtles feel vulnerable at times when basking. Talking or whispering before coming in the room is the same as talking when walking up behind a horse. If you come up quiet they can get startled and kick. The idea of adding some kind of cover is good. That sounds like the Turtle Topper that has walls plastic walls around it.