Looking for behavioral advice about turtles. In the place I moved to, there's a turtle living in a moderate-sized water filled tank.
Every once and a while (like this morning), he notices me and it looks like he's trying to get my attention. He climbs out of the tank onto an island built on top of the tank itself. (Don't worry, it has a foot+ tall fence around the top of the tank so he can't fall out).
But now, he appears to be looking at me. Could it be a feed me please stare? I'm not the one to take care of the pet and don't really know yet his feeding schedule or how much he can eat. I don't plan on sneaking him food or snacks. OR is it come over here and show me attention? OR is it passive-aggressive territorialism? Or something else?
I feel kind of guilty if its the feed me or ... hug me/pay attention to me because I'm lonely stare. Just don't know how socially advanced turtles or this particular turtle is and how cognizantly aware they are capable of....
My business partner had box turtles that she kept in our studio, and sometimes carried the plexiglass chamber they lived in outside so they could get sunshine. They had a ceramic tart dish for water and 'bathing', straw (I think it wasn't hay) on the bottom of the chamber, a little 'house' to crawl into - even had a little curtain - and food to their taste - lettuce, some fruit (kiwi? apple? I forget), and meal worms (can't remember it all). They stayed warm at night with a lamp. At gallery openings, there were always people who wanted to visit the turtles. They were comfortable with us... I miss them, actually. Last I knew, the oldest was in her thirties.
But I don't know about turtles generally, though I read about jcboy's wonder-tortoises..
My impression is that they like some attention. You could ask at a pet store but you'll probably get lots of responses here.
If u get a chance,
invite him to c "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
n lemme know what he thinks of it.
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jespah
2
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Sat 22 Feb, 2014 02:07 pm
Plus more music for the soundtrack:
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tsarstepan
1
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Sat 22 Feb, 2014 03:01 pm
@ossobuco,
ossobuco wrote:
My business partner had box turtles that she kept in our studio, and sometimes carried the plexiglass chamber they lived in outside so they could get sunshine.
My flatmate has a pretty elaborate setup where there is a platform runway from the tank to the apartment window. During the warm weather, he can open the window and there's a platform he (heck I don't even remember if it's a boy or girl turtle) can walk outside and take in the view from our third floor apartment.
My business partner had box turtles that she kept in our studio, and sometimes carried the plexiglass chamber they lived in outside so they could get sunshine.
My flatmate has a pretty elaborate setup where there is a platform runway from the tank to the apartment window. During the warm weather, he can open the window and there's a platform he (heck I don't even remember if it's a boy or girl turtle) can walk outside and take in the view from our third floor apartment.
It sounds like there 's danger that he might fall out!!!
if you are worried, you can always opt for an electrified fence.
zzzzzzap...
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ossobuco
1
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Sat 22 Feb, 2014 04:58 pm
@tsarstepan,
Oh, that is soooo luxe!!
Business partner's turtles were female and male, and they did mate, at least a few times we saw, but none of the eggs were fertile, alas (rushed to incubator, or some such).
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OmSigDAVID
3
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Sat 22 Feb, 2014 07:47 pm
@tsarstepan,
tsarstepan wrote:
Well since turtles can't jump or at least not very high,
I feel safe he can't get over the wire railing.
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