Urgent Care :: Sleeping during the day?

[jgreerberube]

Hi, I caught my RES (Bubbles) sleeping during the day. The light was on, and she wasn't even hiding her face; she had her head pointed in the direction of the light. It is a canopy light with a regular bulb in it (getting new, UVB lamps). I changed the canopy light and put it on the other 30g, and put a clamp lamp with a regular bulb for Bubbles.

[jgreerberube]

How big is your turtle? 4 3/4"
How long have you had it? Almost 1 year

What is the water temperature? Don't know (No change in it, though)
Did you use a thermometer? No
Are you using a water heater? Was, but took it out to see the results
How much water is in there? About 1/3 full
Are you using a water conditioner? Did before, but not now
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? Don't know
Is there a basking light? Yes (not UVB)
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Bridge that sticks out of the water
Is there a UVB light? No

What have you been trying to feed it? Zoo Med stix
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 30g
Is the tank near a window? Near, but not close
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? No

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Minor fungal infection (white spots here and there)

[steve]

Not completely unusual but not normal either. At night, do they get complete darkness?

[jgreerberube]

Yes. They are in their own room. I close the blinds, turn the lights off, and if necessary, close the door.

[steve]

Is she still doing it or was just a one time thing? Do you know how long she was doing it?

[amwassil]

Hi, I caught my RES (Bubbles) sleeping during the day. The light was on, and she wasn't even hiding her face; she had her head pointed in the direction of the light. It is a canopy light with a regular bulb in it (getting new, UVB lamps). I changed the canopy light and put it on the other 30g, and put a clamp lamp with a regular bulb for Bubbles.

Why is this an issue? My three RES will sleep during the day, often while basking. If basking on her feet with head up and outstretched, or "flying" any or all of her legs then it's pretty unlikely she's actually sleeping even if her eyes are closed. I think basking is kind of blissful for turtles and closing the eyes might make it feel even better. When one of my turtles actually sleeps while basking, the head is invariably outstretched, but flat on the ground, and the legs are usually tucked in. My smallest turtle will swim to the bottom of the tank, find a cubby hole and sleep head down for a while, like taking a cap nap. While sleeping in the water legs are often outstretched or just floating limply.

I will say that my turtles do not sleep for long periods of time during the day, more like occasional naps interspersed with periods of activity. They've done this since day one and I've never thought anything of it. Some days they sleep more than other days, some days not at all. I've always simply thought if they didn't get a good night's sleep for one reason or another, they would doze off during the day. I do that, too.

[jgreerberube]

It was only a oone time thing, I hope. I haven't seen her do it anymore. But amwassil, I'm glad that it's normal! I thought there was a problem or something. I'm just glad she's ok.