Turtles have a reputation for being low-maintenance pets. After all, the average red-ear slider can live decades, and mature turtles don’t even need to eat every day! However, turtles, just like cats and dogs, have specialized care needs, and if these needs aren’t met, they can experience stress.
This can lower a turtle’s immune system and make it more vulnerable to infections and other ailments that can affect its quality of life. Understanding the signs of stress in pet turtles can help you provide ideal living conditions for your reptile.
First: What Causes Stress in Pet Turtles?
Turtles require very specific living conditions to thrive, with even a few degrees making a big difference in how they regulate body temperature, process energy, and maintain social interactions. They ultimately rely on their owners to have their needs met. Failing to meet these needs can result in a stressed turtle—and if appropriate action isn’t taken, a stressed turtle can turn into a diseased turtle, and then into a deceased turtle.
Cause of stress in pet turtles can include:
- Poor water quality, either from low oxygenation or imbalanced chemical parameters
- Inadequate diet
- Overcrowding
- Small tank size
- Excessive noise near the tank
- Underlying illness or injury
Conservation Physiology conducted a study on tortoises’ response to handling and recorded the data (yes, we know tortoises and turtles aren’t the same). The publication notes that while these reptiles exhibited signs of stress in response to handling, the anxiety was relatively short-lived. So, while handling can be a source of stress in pet turtles, it shouldn’t cause complications in the hours and days afterward. Still, when handling your turtle, you should only do so when necessary, and avoid grasping them by the limbs!
1. Glass Surfing (Swimming Against the Glass)
Unideal aquarium conditions may prompt glass surfing, a term used to describe when a fish, a reptile, or an amphibian swims pressed alongside its tank’s glass. This behavior wouldn’t just happen periodically; it would happen time and time again, sometimes for hours. It could indicate that your turtle is attempting to escape its enclosure because of unsuitable tank conditions, such as:
- Unbalanced water parameters. Most freshwater turtles need water parameters of 6.0 to 8.0 pH. They also need a tank that correlates with the length of their body. You may need to purchase a larger tank as your pet turtle grows.
- Small tank size. An experienced aquarist knows that a turtle needs 10 gallons of tank for every inch of its body length. So, a five-inch map turtle would need a 50-gallon tank to thrive.
- Inclement temperatures. This can cause problems with how your turtle regulates its metabolism and other bodily functions. Your turtle’s basking area should be 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and their water should be between 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure that your turtle’s environmental conditions remain stable, you should regularly monitor the temperature of their enclosure.
2. Behavorial Changes in Response to Sound
You might plug in your speakers and enjoy the deep, rumbling bass of your favorite songs. Your turtle, however, likely won’t appreciate your tunes as much. The vibrations from the soundwaves can cause your turtle to feel in danger, even if nothing is wrong. If you notice any behavioral changes in your turtle when you turn on your speakers, TV, or another electronic device, consider moving your turtle’s tank to a quieter location. Then, monitor their progress to see whether that solved the problem.
3. Shell Deformities, Mucus, and Other Medical Symptoms
A turtle can develop health problems because of poor diet, infections, or exposure to toxic chemicals. If the symptoms of these conditions go unnoticed for too long, not only could they inflict life-threatening damage, but they can ultimately reduce your pet’s quality of life and cause stress. Some common illnesses that affect pet reptiles include:
- Metabolic bone disease. This serious disease results from nutritional deficiencies, leading to broken bones, misshapen or soft shells, and rubbery legs. You can prevent your turtle from getting this condition by ensuring they get adequate amounts of calcium through their diet.
- Vitamin A deficiency. Just like with calcium, turtles need a steady stream of vitamin A to keep their bodily systems functioning properly. Symptoms of this condition can include excessive mucus, swelling of the eyelids, and non-responsiveness.
- Respiratory infections. It’s vital that you regularly clean your turtle’s aquarium to prevent bacterial and viral infections from disturbing their respiratory function. Symptoms of these conditions include gasping, excess mucus production, and coughing (yes, turtles can cough!).
4. Self-mutilation, Such as Biting, Scratching, or Chewing
Turtles don’t need as much stimulation as, say, a parrot. But they do need regular engagement to prevent problems arising from boredom. An understimulated turtle may turn on itself as a means of providing stimulation. This may include chewing on its legs or scratching itself. On various reptile-keeping forums, some owners have even reported their turtles biting their limbs off!
To avoid boredom-related self-mutilation, many turtle owners have small sand pits inside their reptiles’ enclosures. Here, turtles entertain themselves by digging and even burrowing, depending on the type of turtle. Some even put small toys, such as rubber duckies, in the aquatic part of their enclosure. Then, they watch as the turtles attempt to nip or capture the bobbing toys!
If you notice that your turtle has injuries, take them to a reptile veterinarian—no matter how minor the wound may seem. Even a small cut can get infected and turn into a life-threatening issue.
5. Loss of Appetite or Disinterest in Food
First-time reptile keepers should know that adult turtles don’t eat every day. It’s recommended to feed them a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and insects. Through a well-rounded meal plan, your turtle will get the nutrients they need to maintain their shell and overall health. Turtles, both in captivity and in the wild, are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll eat whenever food is offered. If your pet takes a sudden disinterest in eating (or doesn’t eat as much as they once did), this could signify an underlying health problem that needs immediate medical attention.
