Why Is My Turtle Digging in Her Rocks at the Bottom of Her Tank?

Turtles are hard-shelled reptiles that have been around for more than 200 million years. They are the most primitive of the reptile family, and have outlived many variations of their species. Turtles range in size anywhere from 4 inches to 1500 pounds, some even live over 100 years. You can find turtles all over the world, except for Antarctica.

  1. Environment

    • Turtles are natural born diggers. All turtles have sharp claws to assist in digging up dirt and rocks. Turtles can not regulate their body temperature, therefore they may dig or burrow a hole to keep warm. It may be that the environment your turtle is in may not be warm, or humid enough for it to stay warm. If a turtle's home is cold, it will be sluggish and will not want to eat. A cold environment also means that your turtle can't digest its food.

    Nesting

    • Turtles will often build a nest in which to sleep and digest their food. Digging could be a sign that they are trying to make a nest. If they have just eaten they may be trying to find a warm spot to digest food. Often they enjoy having a separate place to sleep while digesting their food. Using a simple clay flowerpot filled with grass and dirt in it will make a warm and humid environment.

    Egg Laying

    • If you have a female turtle, it may that she is egg bound and ready to lay eggs. A turtle will begin building a nest when she is carrying eggs. You can check to see if your turtle is a female by looking on the underside of her shell. A female will have a flat underbelly, while males have a rounded underbelly. A male's tail and front claws are also longer than a females. If you are unsure, you can ask your local vet if they can perform a sexing test.

    Hiding

    • A turtle that feels like it's in danger may be digging because it's feeling threatened somehow. If you have other pets in the house that are always at the turtle's cage, it could mean that your turtle is trying to escape or hide. A turtle that feels threatened may dig several holes to try and fool its predator. If you turtle feels threatened, try finding another more private place for it to be.