Turtles may seem like quite hardy animals but these little reptiles are actually quite vulnerable, especially when they are flipped over onto their backs. You may start to wonder and become confused as to why this happens to your pet
This article is a look into why your turtle may be on its neck
Table of Contents
Why is my turtle on its back?
Odd behavior in turtles does happen on occasion. If the odd behavior doesn’t happen very often then you likely won’t have to worry too much, but if it does happen often then you may start to worry
This article is a look into why your turtle is on its back
Inadequate tank:
How your pet’s tank is set up will go a long way in whether the animal will live a long healthy life or if the animal will have issues in life, issues as the turtle flapping on its back.
If your pet’s tank water level is not deeper than the width of your turtle then this can cause the animal to flip over often and be on its back
What to do:
You can keep this from happening by keeping the water level in the tank deeper than the width of your turtle.
The water in your pet’s tank can never be too deep but it can be too shallow.
As long as your pet isn’t showing any signs of being ill or distressed along with the flipping then your pet is likely fine
Combat:
Another reason why your pet turtle may be flipped over on its back may be because the animal was in a fight, or was being bullied by another turtle, and flipped over
If you regularly find your turtle flipped over then this may mean that there aren’t enough resources in the tank for both turtles. The stronger turtle is likely regularly flipping the weaker turtle over to get the resources.
If the flipping is happening during breeding season then the male turtle may be flipping the female turtle over, harassing her, when attempting to breed
What to do:
You’d need to separate the turtles if you consistently find that the weaker animal is being flipped over, or you need to get a bigger tank.
When looking for a tank look for one that will fit both of them, and add sufficient resources to the tank. You could also give each animal its own tank and resources.
If the flipping is happening because the male is trying to mate with the female then you can separate the two animals until the mating season is over.
Respiratory infection:
Another reason why your turtle may be upside down may be because the animal has a respiratory infection.
This infection causes the infected lung to become dense which affects the buoyancy of the animal, this causes the turtle to fip over the water.
If your pet has this condition then you’ll also see other signs of illness such as listlessness, discharge from the nose or mouth, loss of appetite, extension of the neck to breathe, wheezing, and open-mouth breathing or gasping
What to do:
Getting your pet to a vet as soon as you suspect that your pet has his infection is a must, if your pet is not treated and this condition is allowed to mature then your pet may develop pneumonia which can kill your pet
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why Is My Turtle Orange?, Why Is My Turtle Extending Its Neck?, Why Is My Turtle Sticking His Neck Out?, Why Is My Turtle Lazy?, Why Is My Turtle Leaning To One Side?, Why Is My Turtle Scratching His Neck?, Why Is My Turtle’s Neck Peeling, Why Is My Turtle’s Neck Red?, Why Is My Turtle Neck Swollen?