General Care Discussion :: Turtle isn't basking anymore

[LorenAndTurtle]

I have a RES that will not bask anymore. I had him ever since he was the size of a quarter (hes now about the size of a silver dollar) and he use to love basking, but now he doesn't even attempt to climb out. Is this normal? I have a floating dock for him that fits his size and i have the UVB heating lamp about 10inches above from the dock. He does have a little shell rot that I'm trying to treat because when he was young I found him in a highly chlorinated pool and brought him back to health.. So is there any way i can coax him back to basking? I'm worried his shell rot will start again if he doesn't.

I have him in a 20gallon long tank that is half way filled with water. Hes very active and loves to swim most the day and check out his tank and tries to catch the little minnows i provide him. He doesn't seem sick or hurting so I don't think those are possibilities.. Please help..

-LorenAndTurtle

[butterflygirl921]

Maybe its just a phase? how long has it been going on?

[LorenAndTurtle]

Its been happening for the past month. I asked my father if hes seen him up there, he said he hasn't seen him up there when I'm out at school so its not just me noticing this. I hope its just a phase.. Maybe he just loves the water? Its not like the water is cold cold, it has a heater in it that turns on when the water gets below 78°F and the basking spot is around 80-90°F.. So I think its warm enough for him but I just don't want his shell rot to act up again, you know?

[Kansasslider]

Try bumping up the basking area a few degrees. Mine are fussy about basking also. Sometimes they bask a lot other times they don't.

[LorenAndTurtle]

Thank you I'll see if it works!!

[Kansasslider]

Its worth a try.