Why is my turtle so afraid of me?

Question

I've had a four inch painted turtle for about a month now and whenever I reach in his tank to hold him he swims VIGOROUSLY against the tank wall trying to get away from me. Also whenever he's basking and I walk in the room he gets in the water a soon as he hears me. When will he get used to me?

Answer 1

because you look like a big hungry monster to him.

keep pestering him and he'll get used to you, especially when  he figures out you're feeding him and not going to eat him-- it will take some time....

Answer 2

He's a turtle give him some room, let him do his turtle thing. After a while he probably will stop getting in the water when you come in and he's basking.

Answer 3

Most turltes act this way. They usually do not like being handled.  But one way to get him more interested in you is for him to associate you with food. Mine personally acted stand-offish to me for a few months but once he saw those crickets comming he got so excited and would even come to greet me.  Then over time he started to enjoy my presence without the food.  Just keep working on it. He will come around.

Answer 4

It takes a while.

As long as you keep feeding him good things and give him a big and nice home to stay in, he will get better.

Mine have.

And if you take the turtle out and put it in a container to give it food, then that will help your turtle warm up to you.

Answer 5

Because he wild undomesticated animal.

Answer 6

with time. handle him regularly, and try not to get him out of he is hiding or sleeping. he should feel safe in his enclosure. is it small? they tend to grow less jittery as the get larger.