Feeding and Nutrition :: need help with my RES

[TurtleOwner123]

My turt makes this werid croaking type sound at night just for a while though. IS this normal? Also he spends lots of time on the basking rock. Also how can i stop my turtle from hissing at me when i am trying to pick him up and how can i prevent him from trying to bite me?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Getting a turtle used to you takes time & patience. The more time you spend with him/her the better. How long have you had him? If you just got him, be patient. Start with feeding him by hand (see if he will take food from your hand).

Trust from a turtle does not happen overnight, but it does happen if you continue to work with him.

Croaking sound is normal if he only does it once in a while, but open-mouth breathing is not. Basking a lot is normal too, as long as he continues to eat well when you feed him.

[Pizza]

Just a small opinion of mine I thought I should add, don't try hand feeding if your turtle is large or an adult. If its head is bigger than your finger, then you may experience a bloody finger/hand if you try.

[marisa]

Turtleowner123---is there any pattern to the croaking? Does he seem to do it when he's in a particular area of the tank? When he's just surfaced from being underwater?

If he's startled and withdraws his head quickly when you pick him up, the hissing sound is the air being forced out of his lungs to make way for his head.