My turtle gets stressed and swims fast when I walk in. What to do?

Thanks for your question about Bolt. I think it is great that you are taking him out to interact on a daily basis, and I would recommend that you also provide him with a haul out area in his tank. This haul out will allow him to get out of the water when he would like. This area is also important because aquatic turtles need to bask and get exposure to UV light to stay healthy. You should have both UV lighting and a basking lamp available for him above the haul out area, and the UV light should be changed every 4-6 months. If you would like to discuss Bolt’s husbandry in detail, I would be happy to do a consult with you. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Clean the tank and perform a partial water change. Rinse the filter media in some tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria. Make sure the water is warm, between 75F and 86 F, and the basking area is at proper temp ( 85 F to 90 F). Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. She may need a few days to reacclimate to you, even though you weren't gone long. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, swimming crooked, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes or nose. If necessary, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat injury or infection.

Thanks for reaching out about Bolt and including photos. Shell color changes front items in the water are rarely a problem unless toxic. Algae can often change the color greenish. The white line is not noted on the photos but can sometimes be a growth line or residue from hard water (mineral deposits). Trying to prevent contaminants from falling into the pond will help. Maintain good water quality, offer a well rounded diet and plenty of sunlight (natural is better than artificial) and seek a veterinarian if your concerns continue. Good luck.

Stress or illness are likely responsible. Placing dark colored paper around the lower 10-12 inches of the glass might decrease stress. If this doesn't seem to help, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about Bolt. Having multiple turtles together can lead to some problems, as males can be aggressive to both other males and to females, depending on the time of year. Males don't tend to get along with each other once they hit sexual maturity, and you may end up with injuries or the need for two tanks. Males will typically only be aggressive to females in the breeding season, but the same issues can arise depending on how aggressive the male is being. As far as determining sex, it is difficult to tell visually what sex they are until they are a bit older and getting closer to sexual maturity. There are other techniques that can be utilized such as endoscopic sexing, however you would need to consult with a veterinarian to have this procedure performed. I hope that provides you with some information, and often turtles will do quite well when they are kept alone.

Lethargy and decreased or loss of appetite can be indicators of stress. Juveniles can be stressed by poor water quality, poor diet, low temperatures (water and basking), insufficient food, rough/excessive handling and loud noises or vibrations near the tank.

Thanks for reaching out about Bonnie. Turtles tolerate water changes fairly well as long as not too drastic. Temperature and pH changes are probably the most concerning. Monitor activity and appetite for now. If you notice concerns, see an examination with a reptile veterinarian. Good luck.