If you have ever seen turtles, then you know they like to swim.
However, when I say “swim” it doesn’t mean they are constantly moving their tail around and splashing water everywhere.
What I’m talking about here is actually going into the corner of their tank or aquarium and staying there for hours on end without any movement at all.
It’s almost as if these animals don’t want anything to happen.
Now you may be wondering why my turtle keeps swimming in the corner?
That’s exactly what you’re going to find out in this article
Let’s get started!
Why do turtles swim in the corner?
When most people see turtles swimming, they think that maybe they are trying to look cool by doing so.
While this may be true sometimes, many other times turtles swim in the corners because something has happened within their environment that makes them feel threatened.
If an intruder enters their territory, then they need to get out of harm’s way immediately.
The same goes with being stuck inside of their shell.
They can’t just stay put because predators could potentially find them while hiding in their shells.
So what happens is, since they are not able to move away from the threat, they must turn themselves sideways and go directly into the corner of their enclosure.
This provides maximum protection from whatever is attacking them.
Once they are safely tucked away behind the corner, they won’t see danger coming until its too late.
Other than having been attacked, turtles also swim in the corners simply because they’re bored!
Yes, boredom is one reason why turtles swim in the corner.
Boredom usually comes hand-in-hand with loneliness.
Turtles spend most of their lives basking in seclusion.
When they aren’t eating, sleeping, mating, etc., they are spending time alone thinking over their next steps in life.
As such, they are very introverted creatures who would rather curl up somewhere safe where no one bothers them than venture outside into the world.
Now if your turtle is bored and they keep staying in the corner
It’s not good for them because they do need interaction
Boredom is not good for any pets
So the question is..
How do you help a bored turtle?
As mentioned earlier, boredom leads to isolation among turtles.
Since they spend most of their lives submerged, they miss out on interacting with other aquatic organisms.
Because of this, they typically lack socialization skills.
One way to help alleviate boredom is to introduce another aquatic creature to play with.
A common practice among hobbyists is to offer pieces of lettuce or spinach leaves to their pet turtles.
When feeding these greens to their turtles, they shouldn’t pull them towards their face.
Instead, feed them on the opposite end of the leaf.
Afterward, watch carefully to make sure the turtle isn’t chewing off the piece you gave them, especially the tip portion.
If you see this occur, remove the plant immediately and replace it with another offering.
You can also set up a habitat specifically designed to encourage interaction between two or more turtles.
Creating a tunnel system helps stimulate communication and bonding.
Just remember to include plenty of hiding spots along the sides of each tunnel section.
You can create tunnels out of PVC pipe, glass tubing, plastic bottles, and old jars filled with gravel.
Then fill them with dirt and top it off with sand.
Finally, attach stones or small branches to serve as decoration.
Be sure to choose plants with wide leaves to give the illusion of space.
Using this method, you can easily train multiple turtles to communicate through various methods.
While turtles usually don’t bite, they do nip whenever necessary.
Keep in mind that they can inflict significant damage to human skin with those little nibs.
Therefore, wearing protective gloves is highly recommended.
Also, avoid handling your pet turtle whenever possible.
Whenever you do handle them, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Never force them to eat things that they don’t naturally desire because they may choke on them.
Lastly, please note that turtles are wild animals and not domesticated pets.
As such, you should treat them accordingly.
Why does my tortoise hide in the corner?
Sometimes turtles become accustomed to living in certain areas and prefer to hang out there instead of exploring elsewhere.
Sometimes this habit changes due to circumstances beyond their control.
For instance, if food becomes scarce, then they may start looking toward the corner for nourishment.
Other times, turtles develop a fear of new surroundings and begin avoiding contact with humans and other pets.
To deal with these situations, you’ll need to figure out exactly why your pet turtle likes to spend so long in the corner.
Doing so allows you to determine how best to correct the issue.
However, keep in mind that some turtles may enjoy feeling trapped in places where they cannot escape.
These types of reptiles tend to use the corner as a place to hide and relax.
If you notice your pet turtle swimming near the wall of the tank, but never seems to come close enough to touch it, then there’s probably something blocking him/her from leaving the corner.
Try removing obstructions in the hopes of helping your turtle explore more freely.
Another good idea is to add small rocks to the bottom of the tank to provide extra grip points.
By adding pebbles to the surface of the water, you allow your turtle to walk across them and leave the safety of the corner.
What are signs that your turtle is dying?
Each type of animal requires different care depending upon whether they live in fresh or saltwater (for example).
But regardless of which species you own, if your pet stays underwater much longer than usual or if he/she starts acting differently, then there might be a problem.
Some fish experts refer to this behavior as’stretching’ because turtles stretch often during their sleep cycles.
In order to make sure nothing serious is happening to your pet reptile, try checking his/her eyes.
If you notice redness, swelling, discharge around the eye area, then take your turtle straight to the vet as soon as possible.
Remember, even though turtles seem invincible, they still require proper care and attention.
Another sign that your turtle is getting sick is if she suddenly stops grooming herself.
Normally, turtles groom themselves using both front feet at once.
If your turtle only uses her rear left foot to brush against objects, then this indicates that either her right side is injured or something is wrong with her brain.
You should always check your turtle’s eyes again to ensure everything looks normal before continuing.
Have a read of my article – Why is my turtle struggling to swim?
