oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 like most animals i would suggest using their stomaches to get what you want, if they associate you with food then i am sure they will be very keen to see you would they not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 yeah i know food works with most other animals maybe i just need to put my hand in the water some more till they all get use to me :0 silly turtles just need to get use to us already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 oh right ok - so just go out and spend more time with them just looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 oh right ok - so just go out and spend more time with them just looking 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 ... 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 thanks Donna - i will try all this and see how they get on.. whats the best cure for a really dark shell ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Does it need a cure? Can you post/send a photo? May just be the colouring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 not sure if it "needs" a cure but best to check with the expert its the one my skinny finger is pointing to in this photo - note that the boy on the left is looking MUCH better than this picture that was taken when i got them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 oh ok - thats all good - the 2 you suggested look a little worse for wear are definately looking better since that photo - how long do you think it can take for the shells to look 100% - another 5-6 months being winter and all ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 next time they shed they should be looking better, may not shed until summer now. about 23 december is my guess, hard to say though. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 should i start a raffle ? any other takers of when they will shed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 :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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaM Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted April 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 :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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 sweet in that case i'll stick with the 23rd december Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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