Depression is one of the newest, most serious, and widespread conditions of the 21st century. But this fact generally applies to humans. But what about turtles?
Do turtles get depressed? Yes, turtles can get depressed. Despite their rough appearance turtles are quite sensitive creatures and can get affected by depression.
So turtles can get affected by depression, But fortunately, this can be solved. But before we look at the solution, let’s first check if your turtle really is depressed. And what can cause depression.
Depression Caused by Constant Scares
This is one of the most common causes of depression if your turtle is surrounded by things that make constant sudden noise. Or if you have another pet like a dog or a cat that likes to play with your turtle by getting very close to the turtle tank.
Another very common thing that can scare a turtle is a change in location. If you move the turtle tank around this can scare your turtle very much. I’m sure that any person would get scared if somebody picked up their house, while they were inside, and placed it in a new place. So this experience can be quite scary to a turtle.
The solution to this is quite simple, you just have to remove the scary things around your turtle.
Excessive Stress
Surprisingly turtles are very easily affected by stress. And as we all know stress is usually one of the main causes of depression.
Here are a few things that can stress a turtle:
- Loud speakers that are placed right next to the tank
- A cat or a dog that is always trying to get into the tank
- Improper handling
- Too frequent interactions
- Etc.
Basically, if something is able to stress out most people, then it can also easily stress out a turtle.
To solve this problem you simply have to remove the stress source. Usually, this can be solved by moving the tank to another room that is less frequented by other people. But how to solve this problem really depends on the thing that is stressing your turtle. But basically, you just have to remove that stress factor, and soon your turtle will soon start to act normal again.
Pregnancy
A pregnant turtle will act very strange, she will stop eating, she will stop basking, she will try to dig everywhere trying to escape the tank. They do this not because they don’t like the tank, but because they want to find a good place where they can lay the eggs.
Turtles usually lay their eggs in piles of leaves or holes that they dig in the ground, but never in water. So the tank is definitely not a suitable environment for this.
If your turtle is pregnant there is nothing that you can do to make her calm down. You will have to wait for her to lay the eggs.
The first thing you have to do if you want to know if your turtle is really pregnant is to find out if it’s a male or a female, so you should read this article that is going to tell you if that’s the case: How to Tell If Your Turtle Is Male or Female.
And if your turtle is a female, and you want to know if she is pregnant, then you should read this article where you will find all the info you need: How to Tell if Your Turtle Is Pregnant.
One important thing about turtles is that they can get pregnant even if there is no male around. The difference is that the eggs won’t be fertilized so no baby will come out of them. So even if you only have a female turtle she can still lay eggs.
No Basking Area
If you are a complete beginner when it comes to turtles and you don’t know too much about them, then it’s possible that you don’t know that turtles need a basking area.
A basking area is an area close to the tank where turtles can stay on dry land and get UVB light and heat for their body.
This can cause depression because you are basically removing one of the most important parts of their life. So if you don’t have a basking area for your turtle you should get one immediately, so I strongly suggest you read this article that talks in more detail about how you can make a proper basking area: Guide for Lighting and Heating a Turtle Tank and Basking Area.
Bad Food
If you don’t give your turtle a proper diet your turtle won’t get enough nutrients, which can lead to multiple affections, including depression.
This problem can be easily fixed by adjusting the diet of your turtle.
A perfectly balanced diet for a turtle will contain:
- Berries
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Insects
- Worms
- Fish
- Meat
- Pellets
To solve this problem just add some of the things from the list to the diet of your turtle.
If you want a more detailed list about what turtles eat you should check out this article: What do Turtles Eat ?, it includes every detail about what wild turtles eat, what pet turtles eat, what different species of turtles eat, and the diet of popular pet turtles.
Bad Water Temperature
Turtles are cold-blooded animals, this means that they don’t produce any body heat, so they rely on the surrounding temperature to warm their bodies.
If the temperature of the water is not warm enough, your turtle will try to swim its way out of the tank, in search of warmer waters. Which is something that it shouldn’t be able to do. And when it realizes this, your turtle will start to get stressed, and as more stress cumulates, it will eventually lead to depression.
Solving this problem is really easy, just adjust the water temperature.
The exact water temperature varies from species to species. But in general, it’s between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( 24 and 27 degrees Celsius ). If you keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees, then your turtle will stop all of its strange behaviors and go back to normal.
If you don’t own a tank heater, or you want to get a new one I suggest you check out the Recommended Gear Page, where you will find some of the best turtle care products, which were tested by me and the rest of the Turtleowner.com team.
Bad Basking area Temperature
The basking area is where turtles get most of the heat for their bodies, as well as the UVB rays that are essential for them.
If the temperature of the basking area is too low or too high, your turtle will try to find a way out of the tank, in search of a better place to bask. And again, they won’t be able to do this, when it realizes this, your turtle will start to get stressed, and as more stress cumulates, it will eventually lead to depression.
But don’t worry, this problem is easy to fix. You just have to make a few changes to the basking area, so that it produces just the right amount of heat.
Depending on the turtle species that you have, the basking area temperature will also differ. But if the temperature is between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit ( 29 and 32 degrees Celsius ), your turtle will be just fine.
If you want to know more about heating and lighting for turtles, check out this article where you will find a complete guide: Guide for Lighting and Heating a Turtle Tank and Basking Area.
Conclusion
So there are quite a few things that can make a turtle depressed, but fortunately, all of those things can be solved quite easily.
I hope that you found this article helpful. And in case your turtle is depressed, I hope your turtle will get better as soon as possible.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask them in the comment section, and I will do my best to answer them as soon as possible.
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Hello,
I has 2 water turtles Shelby and Sheldon. Unfortunately Sheldon passed away and I notice Shelby is quite sad. I noticed that she has red marks on her neck. Is it possible that she can be hurting herself? I have a feeling that Shelby is sad, as she should be 🙁 what can I do to help her overcome her sadness?
I’m sorry to hear about Sheldon’s passing and Shelby’s condition. Turtles can indeed experience stress and sadness when they lose a companion. The red marks on her neck may be a sign of stress or other issues. Here are some steps you can take to help Shelby and address her well-being:
Veterinary Checkup: First and foremost, it’s essential to have Shelby examined by a reptile veterinarian. The red marks on her neck need to be assessed to determine their cause and whether any medical treatment is required. Your vet can also check her overall health.
Companionship: Consider getting another turtle as a companion for Shelby. Turtles are social animals, and having a companion can help alleviate her loneliness. When introducing a new turtle, make sure they are compatible in terms of species and size, and quarantine the new turtle before placing them together.
Environmental Enrichment: Enhance Shelby’s enclosure with elements that provide mental stimulation and physical activity. This can include adding new decorations, plants, or creating a more complex and engaging habitat for her. Providing hiding spots and opportunities for exploration can help alleviate stress.
Proper Lighting and Temperature: Ensure that Shelby’s enclosure has appropriate basking areas with the correct temperature and access to UVB lighting. Proper basking and thermoregulation are essential for her overall well-being.
Diet and Nutrition: A well-balanced diet is crucial for Shelby’s health. Ensure she is receiving the right types and amounts of food. Turtles can be selective eaters, so provide a variety of suitable foods to encourage her to eat.
Social Interaction: Spend time with Shelby and interact with her. While turtles may not be as interactive as some other pets, your presence and occasional interaction can provide comfort.
Closely Monitor Her: Continue observing Shelby for any signs of distress, injury, or unusual behavior. Keep her enclosure clean, and make sure the water quality is maintained to prevent skin and shell issues.
Consult a Reptile Specialist: Consider consulting a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles for expert advice on Shelby’s care and well-being.
It’s crucial to act promptly to address Shelby’s needs and ensure she is comfortable and healthy. The red marks on her neck should be examined by a veterinarian, as they could be a symptom of an underlying issue. Your vet can guide you in providing the best care for her.
I am a beginner to caring for a turtle. Not even that sure I have the correct info on her. You tube showed me how to tell if male or female. 80 % sure I have that correct. Map is was only the size of a 50 cent piece when I found her in a pencil box that my Nephew had put her in after he found her in the waters near my sisters land, and was feeding her bologna. She wasn’t really active when I first met her. But knew she needed more the. A pencil box. So I got her into a few different homes before the one she stays in now. She started eating more and more active once I introduced new things like at first it was a heat pad, then I started to read more and watch videos on her kind. And of course it would be a one that needed extra attention to their environment. But now I’ve got most things the videos said she would be fancy to… she eats and basks and comes to me most times. I’m just learning from reading that a male does not need be present for her to lay eggs. Amongst other good information I hadn’t heard yet. My apologies for the long story here, but the water just won’t stop being “ dirty looking “. And not sure she still has the proper diet. I bought a product from Walmart that has different things and tried apples today, Walmart food eats only the krill and shrimp and still has apples floating in her tank.
So long story short thanks for making the article full of answers to my questions I’ve had lately. For sure will look for more information about map here first
Thanks
New turtle mom
Jenn & Map
You’re welcome, Jenn! I’m glad you found the article helpful, and I’m here to assist with any further questions you may have about caring for Map or any other aspects of turtle care. Keeping a pet turtle can be a rewarding experience, but it does require some specific care to ensure their well-being.
If you’re concerned about the water quality in Map’s tank, it’s essential to maintain a clean and appropriate environment for her. Regular water changes and proper filtration are crucial to keep the water clean and clear. It’s also important to make sure the water temperature, basking area, and UVB lighting are all suitable for her species.
Diet is another critical aspect of turtle care. A well-balanced diet should include a variety of foods, such as commercial turtle pellets, leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional live or frozen prey items (e.g., insects or small fish). The diet can vary based on Map’s specific species and age.
If you have more questions or need guidance on any specific aspects of Map’s care, feel free to ask. I’m here to help you provide the best care for your turtle.