Red-Eared Sliders: Why Do They Sleep All Day?

Red-eared slider turtles are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. If your turtle is sleeping all day, it may be a sign of illness or improper maintenance of its enclosure. If your turtle is sleeping too much, it is usually due to the water temperature. If the water is too cold, your turtle may be preparing to brumate, a form of hibernation. It is important to maintain a regular day-night cycle for your turtle, with lights turned off at the same time every night. Additionally, ensure that the water conditions are ideal, with neutral pH levels and clean, well-filtered water. If your turtle continues to sleep too much, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Turtles are sensitive to water quality and lighting

Water Quality

Turtles are very sensitive to water quality. Even if you change the water every day, it can still contain harmful chemicals. A good filtration system is essential. Water changes are also needed, even with a filter. The water temperature should be between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water temperature is too low, then you need to install an aquarium heater. A good water heater usually comes with a thermostat, so you can set the perfect temperature.

The pH level of the water also needs to be within the right range, with the ideal pH level being a neutral one of 7. It can be a bit acidic or a bit alkaline, but try to get it as close to 7 as possible, with a pH range of 6 to 8 being acceptable parameters.

The nitrite level needs to be below 0.5 ppm (parts per million), and the nitrate level has to be below 40 ppm. The ammonia, chlorine, and chloramine levels all need to be 0.

Lighting

Turtles are more likely to have consistent sleep patterns if they have a regular white light cycle. It's important to note that a white light bulb is different from light bulbs that emit red or purple light that reptiles cannot see. Most turtles, including red-eared sliders, are diurnal, so they are more active during the day and sleep more at night. The regular light cycle is important because they spend their waking hours basking in the sun. If your turtle doesn't have consistent lighting, its sleep cycle may be abnormal.

To ensure your turtle sleeps well, turn the lights off during the evening. Maintain a day-night cycle. This means that the lights in the turtle's aquarium need to be on for 10-12 hours each day and off for 10-12 hours each day.

If your turtle is sleeping too much, it is usually because of the water temperature. Cool waters with temperatures close to 50°F (10°C) drastically reduce the turtle's body temperature, forcing it to enter brumation mode. Keep temperatures at optimal levels, and the turtle should rest as normal. Colder temperatures will make your turtle sleep more often and for longer periods.

Turtles need a day-night cycle

Turtles are diurnal, which means they are active during the day and sleep at night. Therefore, it is important to maintain a regular day-night cycle for your pet turtle. This means having 10-12 hours of light followed by 10-12 hours of darkness every day.

Lighting

Turn the lights on when the sun rises and off when the sun sets. If your turtle is kept indoors, turn off the lights in the room at the same time as the lights in their enclosure. Avoid keeping their enclosure in a room where lights will be needed late at night, as this will disrupt their sleep.

Sleep Environment

Both land and aquatic turtles are more likely to have consistent sleep patterns if they have a regular white light cycle. It's important to note that white light is different from red or purple light, which reptiles cannot see. Most turtles are diurnal, so they are more active during the day and sleep more at night. A regular light cycle is important because turtles spend their waking hours basking in the sun. Therefore, inconsistent lighting will disrupt their sleep cycle.

Shelters and Platforms

Different turtles have different preferences for how and where they sleep. However, you should always provide a land turtle with a shelter and an aquatic turtle with a platform to dry off on. These often become their preferred sleeping spots. For land turtles, plastic containers with a cut-out opening, a half log, a pile of rocks to form a cave, or a store-bought shelter can be used. For aquatic turtles, homemade floating docks made with PVC tubing, rock piles, or store-bought floating platforms are ideal.

Temperature

As turtles are cold-blooded, they rely on the ambient temperature to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, the temperature of their environment may be the biggest factor in their sleep patterns. If the environment is too cold for too long, they may sleep more. Different species of turtles have different ideal temperatures, so ensure their environment isn't too cold.

Brumation

Brumation is a form of hibernation that occurs in reptiles when temperatures drop. Turtles that are kept in a controlled, warm environment year-round can still brumate, but the consistency of their environment will decrease the likelihood. During brumation, the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate drop for an extended period, and turtles may not wake for days.

Health

A turtle that doesn't sleep well will become stressed, which can affect its appetite and health. Turtles that are unwell generally sleep often, with lethargy being one of the most common symptoms of illness.

Turtles sleep underwater

Like any other animal, turtles need to rest. Aquatic turtles may spend hours sleeping on a dry dock with their head poking out of the water, but they also sleep underwater for shorter periods, coming up to breathe when necessary.

Red-eared sliders sleep underwater

Red-eared slider turtles sleep underwater, holding their breath for several hours at a time. They sleep during the night when temperatures are low and the environment is dark. They will sleep at the bottom of their enclosure, or near the surface, and may even rest at their basking spot.

Turtles sleep for 4 to 7 hours daily. They don't sleep during the day, but if they are unwell, they may sleep or doze off. In winter, turtles tend to spend more time on their basking spot, seeking heat to keep their body warm and comfortable. In summer, the warmer water suits the turtle, and they sleep for longer.

Turtle sleeping environments

Turtles are more likely to have consistent sleep patterns if they have a regular white light cycle. Turtles are ectothermic or cold-blooded, so they rely on the ambient temperature to regulate their body temperature. If the environment is too cold for too long, they may sleep more.

How to help your turtle sleep

To help your turtle sleep, ensure it is properly fed and that its tank water is clean. Maintain the water pH level and temperature, and make sure your turtle is basking properly. Reduce light and noise in the turtle's environment.

Turtles need a platform or shelter to sleep

If you own a turtle, it's important to provide it with a suitable environment to sleep in. Both land and aquatic turtles require different sleeping conditions, but they both need a place to rest.

Land turtles

Land turtles need a shelter to hide and sleep in. You can provide a plastic container with a cut-out entrance, a half log, a pile of rocks to form a cave, or a store-bought shelter designed for pet reptiles. Ensure that the land turtle can easily fit inside the shelter you provide.

Aquatic turtles

Aquatic turtles need a platform or dock to dry off on and sleep. You can provide a homemade floating dock made with PVC tubing, a rock pile, or a store-bought floating turtle platform. Again, make sure the aquatic turtle can fit comfortably on the platform.

Sleep patterns

Turtles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, so they rely on the ambient temperature to regulate their body temperature. If the environment is too cold, turtles may sleep more. Therefore, it's important to maintain an ideal temperature for your turtle's species.

Turtles are also sensitive to light and sound, so keep their environment serene and dark at night to promote healthy sleep patterns. A consistent day-night cycle is crucial, with lights turned on and off at the same times each day.

By providing the appropriate sleeping conditions and maintaining a healthy environment, you can help ensure your turtle gets the rest it needs.

Turtles are cold-blooded

Turtles that are kept in a controlled, warm environment year-round can still go into brumation—a form of hibernation that occurs in reptiles. Brumation is similar to sleeping, but the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate drop for an extended period. Turtles in brumation may not wake for days at a time.

A water temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit will quickly trigger brumation, but any temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the turtle to become inactive as it conserves energy.

If you are keeping a turtle as a pet, maintaining a reliable day-to-night cycle is a must. This means that the lights within the enclosure have to be on for 10 to 12 hours and off for 10 to 12 hours.

If the turtle doesn't get enough sleep, it will become stressed and unhealthy. So, it's important to create a 'day and night' schedule for your turtle that you can keep up with or get timers for their lights.

The temperature of the water has to be just right, or your turtle won't feel comfortable resting. The water temperature should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water temperature is too low, then you need to install an aquarium heater.

Additionally, the pH level of the water also needs to be within the right range, with the ideal pH level being a neutral one of 7. It can be a bit acidic or a bit alkaline, but try to get it as close to 7 as possible, with a pH range of 6 to 8 being acceptable.

If your turtle is sleeping too much, it could be a sign of illness. Sick turtles tend to sleep a lot. Oversleeping can be an effect of respiratory disease. If your turtle is always sleeping and keeping its mouth open, it may be ill. If this is the case, your turtle won't eat much and will sleep during the day.

Frequently asked questions