How can I encourage my RES to bask?

Question

Ive got 2, had them a few years, they are very healthy but I dont seem to ever see 1 of them get out the water and sunbathe !

Answer 1

Don't worry about it. Just make sure that their diets contain plenty of vitamin D. Liver is a good source. Perhaps they are waiting for you to take them to the Riviera.

Answer 2

If they need to bask, they will. Maybe they are still a little bit timid of people and never really have the confidence to leave the water. Maybe your water is too warm, so they never really feel the need to warm up and bask. If you have a heater, turn it down, or off. This will encourage them to bask, as they will feel cold. You could also try and place their food on their basking platform. This will encourage them to get up onto their dock. They will also become used to the feel of it.

Have Fun x*x

Answer 3

Perhaps they don't like the basking platform you are using, or perhaps the basking lamp is either too stron or not strong enough.  Try the ZooMed Floating turtle log.  We got that a few months ago for our 2 RES, and they love it!  They can bask while in the water, or sometimes they climb on top of it.

Answer 4

you should make a comfortable environment and just dont bother them too much. if it seems like it may be too hot or bright for them, just ease up on the lighting

Answer 5

they are skiddish and think of humans as predators...

so they run when they se us or even a shadow.

I have had my 2 slider  girls for 36 yrs. Plus an 8 and 5 yr old and now a 2 yr old adopted from this site.. Been in a pond for almost 7 yrs now. And they still run 95% of the time...and then when I clkean their pond they may sit on the basking rock and sun themsleves like I am not ebven there.

You do have a UVB/UVA light right...

Got them on my 18th birthday! What a long lasting gift! This is allot of responsibility for all these years. My kids aren’t even that old!