Northern Red Bellied Turtle

[russiantortoise]

Hey guys I have a Northern Red Bellied turtle and I read on eHow.com that you should put gravel high up on one side and then put a flat rock there for a basking area. Can I use a turtle dock instead of that? Thanks guys.

 

[Len B]

For my indoor water turtles I don't use any type of gravel, sand or rocks, they make it hard to keep the water clean. as for a basking surface, they will sit on anything they can get on and even some things you would think they couldn't get to,They are very neat turtles with great personalities,but the females get very big.I have a male that hatched 12 years ago and a couple youngsters that are almost old enough to sex. they stay in the pond area outside all year.

 

[theTurtleRoom]

No exact specifications for a basking area. A turtle dock will be fine. Once they feel comfortable, they'll use whatever they can find to bask on.

In the wild, they prefer stuff sticking out of their ponds (fallen trees, etc) as opposed to the banks on the side of the pond.

 

[russiantortoise]

Thanks!