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make my turtles more friendly - ever since i got them they duck for cover as soon as they see movement bigger than a cat... i want to see them more but every time i go to feed them or general work around the garden they dive bomb from the log and duck for cover under it... if im patient enough with some turtle treats one of them will come and eat from my hand but thats a treat and they only get that once a week

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hmm perhaps handle them more i know this works with rabbits i have the opposite problem with one of my frogs he bites my hand when i put it in the tank thinking he is getting fed perhaps donnaM can help you some of her turtles are friendly

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just a natural instinct they have.Some turtles in high traffic areas seem to sit there regardless but most I have had end up to be like the flightiest one in the group in a matter of days.The design of your pen may help if they can see you coming a long way off ,but mine has a low solid tin wall and they see my head appear from nowhere and are off!even tame turtles that have come to me from other places get toey fast.

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Make sure he's 100% healthy? I've noticed Donna's turtles are really calm and relaxed and usually just sit and chill out. Once the turtle knows he's got nothing to be afraid of and is really happy maybe he'll be more chilled.

I'm sure you already look after them fantastically, but maybe there's a little something missing? I don't know.

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apparently name derived from them sliding into the water quick smart when disturbed.

nothing to worry about, just what most will do. As repto said its their natural instinct.

I wouldnt put my hand in the water, food and not giving them a fright may help to tame them. But with the cooler weather they will be less likely to care about food. not really a pet for taming imo.

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they (mona lisa, murtle, and rocky) can see us from the pond when were inside so they shouldnt be getting a huge fright from us. i will try the handling thing a bit more - on sunny days i have been getting them out for a walk on the grass - one has managed to find his way back into the pond twice and our cat comes to have a look - in fact if a turtle walks up to her she jumps out of the way. i find that when the 3 are out on the grass having a walk they are quite happy to clamber over my feet and hands so maybe i just need to do more of that...

mona lisa's shell is a little dark i think - she seems to be the most nervous when on the log sunning herself so she might need more care and attention than the others :)

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Handling them could be counter-productive? Everytime they see you they'll think "Crap, I don't wanna be picked up" and leap into the water. I'm not a huge reptile expert but I do know they're not like a cat & probably don't want cuddles.

Oh and my example of that is the ones at Southern Encounter are never handled and have a constant stream of people looking at them & they always sit up basking, unafraid.

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oh right ok - so just go out and spend more time with them just looking :o

Yes, thats what I do. They will mostly sit and watch me. But that doesnt mean that sometimes one wont get a 'fright' and leap into the water...with most of the others following :roll: Mostly I can walk around in their enclosure, even having to pick one up and move it out of the way of somewhere I need to step too, and they will just sit there and look at me. The new turtles are far more wary...unlike Reptos :wink: ... but the ones that have been here awhile are more relaxed and placid. Handling isnt something they like and is only done if necessary around here :)

If they all leap into the water when you go out, just sit quietly a small distance from them and allow them to get used to you being there. When they start to climb out again, just be careful not to stand up quickly or make any sudden movements as they check you out. Eventually they will ignore you except to beg for food and just go about their usual turtle lives :)

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:lol: do we get any hints as to when they last shed? If they came out of a tank then may be due for a shed anytime soon...may have to rethink my guesstimate. But not likely going into winter as wont be doing much growing now.

December is about when mine use to shed. basically after theyve come out of brumation and had a couple of months in the sun, started to eat like theres no tomorrow etc

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probably the best one of the three?the close one is ok,other one will be ok after a shed and some sun?Some are darker than others from the start and some darken with age. Just an individual thing not worth worrying about.

What he said! :D

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:lol: do we get any hints as to when they last shed? If they came out of a tank then may be due for a shed anytime soon...may have to rethink my guesstimate. But not likely going into winter as wont be doing much growing now.

December is about when mine use to shed. basically after theyve come out of brumation and had a couple of months in the sun, started to eat like theres no tomorrow etc

when i got them a couple of months ago i think they may have just stopped shedding cause there were still some old bits hanging on in some places

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