Why the red-eared turtle does not climb onto the island (land)

Pet behavior is often a concern for caring owners. Sometimes the red-eared tortoise does not go out on land, remaining under water for several days, so it does not dry out its shell. The consequences can be serious, so it’s best to pay attention to this behavior.

Why does the turtle not go to the island

To find out what happened to the pet, you need to carefully check the conditions of its maintenance. Refusal to go on land can be the result of improperly installed aquarium equipment:

• the island protrudes strongly above the surface of the water – the small red-eared turtle simply cannot climb out onto the bank or shelf; it is better to put a smaller temporary island or pour more water to raise its level;
• a powerful lamp or its low location – the reptile does not climb onto the stones, because they are very hot; it is necessary to hang the lamp higher (the temperature under it should not exceed 33 degrees) and be sure to equip a shaded corner where the turtle can hide when overheated;
• incorrectly selected material – the surface of the shelf or ladder is too slippery or uncomfortable for the turtle, so it falls when trying to climb up; you can replace the ladder or make the surface rough, glue it with small pebbles or sand;

Sometimes the reason may be character traits and anxiety – the turtle does not climb out onto the island because it is frightened by a new place or pets in the room. In this case, the pet usually prefers to bask under the lamp when no one is at home, so you need to leave the lights on when leaving.

Possible danger

If the turtle does not climb onto the bank to completely dry the shell, bacteria will begin to multiply between the shields, and a fungus may develop. Also, during the hours when the pet is heated under the lamp, the active phase of digestion of food occurs. Therefore, if the turtle sits in the water all the time, its digestion may be disturbed, especially if the temperature in the aquarium is low.

To avoid these unpleasant consequences, you can dry the turtle yourself. To do this, every few days you need to plant it in a separate container under the lamp (a shaded corner must be made in the jig). If the shell is covered with plaque and mucus, you need to gently wipe it with a soft sponge with a drop of lemon juice.