Urgent Care :: scared turtle

[superhippieman]

I got a red eared slider hatchling a week ago or so. He was not scared at all When we first put him in his tank. That first night we watched him and he didn't care. He'd bask and swim and wouldn't even put his head in his shell. i read that you need to leave him alone for a few days at first....so i did...i think this is where the problem started. After leaving him alone and coming back after a few days he got to where he would only bask if everyone was real still, otherwise he would swim frantically into a corner and get in his shell and stay there. Now its been a week and he won't even move into sight unless no one is around. He just chills in his cave.

I have heat, uvb uva, basking dock, river stone substrate, a few fake plants all in a 20 gallon long (he's 1 1/4 inch)

Why is he getting more and more scared?

[Kansasslider]

It is just adjusting to all the Scarry stuff. Its a new environment for the little kid. It will be OK just let it get used to its new surroundings.

[superhippieman]

That's what i was thinking, but i was just confused because he was so calm the first day or to. He is so easily scared now.

[steve]

Yes, make sure it's eating, the temps are good and that it's basking but give as much privacy as possible. And hands off as much as possible. That goes for family members/roommates, etc. Even consider covering the sides.