taming my res.

[daeva]

hi guys,
this forum seems to be dead, and there's a lot of turtle snobs on the other ones i lurk on. so. i thought i would throw a question out there.

i have a juvenile RES, he's probably about three or four months old (i've had him for almost two months).. he doesn't bite, but i am wondering what amount of handling ect is appropriate to get him used to me and my son.

i take him out of his tank every few days and let him run around on the floor, we pet him and hold him ect, in the hopes that he will one day be pretty friendly (or at least tolerant).

any ideas as to how much out of tank time is appropriate?
i don't want to stress him out having him out, but i don't want to keep him scared of me either.

i have a feeling that turtles are much like any other pet, that with kind handling, and a gently touch they will eventually become tolerant pets, that could even enjoy a little playtime. is this naive (or overly romantic of me)??

i really hope not.
Thanks for the replies,
Lisa.

[Shawn(snakebite)]

Well, I think at first to keep outings short and do not handle excesively. It is definately possible for a res to become tolerant of you , but do not consider it a cat or dog where it comes to need or look for attention through human contact I have a 15 year old RES that I have had since it was baby and when he was young he was handled alot and to the point where I used to watch T.V. and he slept in the sleeve of my shirt for hours. That eventually got cut short once he defecated the one time . Yuk It was pretty funny . He never bites and came used to coming out and enjoyed getting his shell scratched and rubbed and still does till this day.As he got older he was less satisfied with just sitting and was always wanting to move a nd walk around while being out. So in short and in my opinion , I think you can get your turt to accept you and your son and you handling it and will probably get accustomed to being touched and will have a very low urge to bite or feel threatened. I urge you to think safety and make sure to wash up after handling and to also take in to account of where you let it run about and such. Remember its an aquatic species and it feels most at home in water , but like I said with frequent interaction it will definately become accustomed to being out and around you and your son , probably to the point of where it will beg to come out when you are around, but not to the point of a cat or dog .

[daeva]

he's only an inch and a half long, so i keep a very close eye on him. he can move!! thanks for the reply, i seem to be doing what you said... i never expected him to be like a dog or cat, i still don't expect him to 'tame', but i would like him to get comfortable enough that he's not scared.

thanks!
Lisa.

[Shawn(snakebite)]

It seems like you are doing well, and if you keep it up I have no doubt it will be comfortable with you and will learn not to be scared of you . They can still get startled at certain times and it's their nature t be skittish and nervous. They are called sliders because of the way they "slide" quickly into the water when startled. Its in their nature.

[daeva]

just wanted to give an update on my guy i was trying to tame. well. he handfeeds now, and i can pet his head while he's swimming around, he'll come up to see me when i loom over the tank. he also goes mental every time i walk by now, cause he wants food (not as desirable, but i'll take it)... so. i guess it's working.
i'm still working on the new turtle, he'll handfeed occasionally.. but still swims away when i loom.. not as much though. (i do try not to loom, but. as the tank is on a low table, it's sometimes hard not to

on another note: it's garage sale season! and i got a great book on turts, torts and terrapins today. called 'survivors in armor' by Ronald Orenstein... it's beautiful! good find anyways. i'm going aquarium hunting tomorrow!

well, happy weekend everyone!!
Lisa.