AboutMark Adkins Expertise I will be glad to help with your tortoise- and turtle-related questions. My specialty is Red-foot and other Tortoises, but I can help with many aspects of turtle care.
Understand- I am not a vet, and the more information you can give me, the more accurate my answer can be.
(Because of the number of questions I get, I reserve the right to direct you to a good website that will help rather than re-inventing the wheel.)
Experience Tortoise and other reptile keeper since 1964.
Member of the Nebraska Herpetological Society.
Author of books and articles on tortoise care.
Currently own five Red-foot Tortoises.
Expert: Mark Adkins Date: 7/8/2008 Subject: lonliness in turtles
Question hi mark!
i was just looking over this site and i saw that u were really knowlegable about a lot of things turtle-related. i just bought a red-eared slider a few days ago and at first i noticed he was obviously scared about being in a new habitat away from the pet store and everything, but lately, hes been better and less scared of me. i am however worried that he is lonely. whenever i enter the room he follows me around his tank and he starts thrashing and swimming wildly along side it. and when i leave, he tends to follow me as well. i dont want him to be lonely because that would break my heart. and i dont know what else to do to make him feel less lonely. because he did have 2 other turtles at the pet shop to keep him company. anyways i dont know if u even know this answer but at least give me some insight because i feel sad when i look at him sometimes, and i hope he isnt feeling sad either. thank u so much and im sorry if this was a complete waste of ur time.
Answer You have fallen victim to the Manipulative Turtle Syndrome! :-)
Your turtle is easily smart enough to know that you being around means it probably gets food, so it 'attacks' the wall and follows you like any puppy begging for food.
As for cage mates- turtles really don't like cage mates- they tend to fight, block each other's access to food and shelter, etc. You need a BIG tank if you are going to keep two or more of them.
As for the begging- ignore it. Feed the turtle on schedule to keep it from getting obese, etc.
