How Can I Make a Turtle Basking Ramp?

Turtles sometimes need to regulate their body temperatures by leaving the water and basking in the sun (or under a lamp). You can make a basking ramp for your aquarium, pond or pool with natural materials like wood or stone. You can also make a basking ramp out of plastic or other materials. The key is to provide a gentle grade so the turtle can climb out of the water. The dry platform should be in an area that provides sunlight or the warmth of a lamp for the turtles.

  1. Considerations

    • Make the basking ramp and platform large enough for your turtle(s). If you have several turtles and the tank or pool is big enough, make the platform large enough for several turtles. Don't make the ramp or platform so high that the turtle can injure itself if it falls off. Make sure the turtles cannot get trapped underneath the ramp. Use rough materials for the ramp so the turtle can use its nails for traction to climb the ramp.

      Basking areas can also be designed specifically for hatchling turtles using artificial lighting and platforms.

    Slab Basking Ramps

    • For outdoor pools or ponds, you can build up an attractive ramp using flat slabs of quarried stone like shale, limestone or sandstone. The safest way to build these stones up is to make a solid platform--don't use a large tilted piece of stone for the ramp unless you are sure it cannot fall and trap a turtle.

      Start with a base piece that is about 24 inches long and as wide as you like. Place a second piece, about 20 inches long and the same width (or narrower for a pyramid effect). Butt this at one end with the first piece. Keep building up with shorter layers to provide a step effect until the last slab is clear of the water. Make sure this is in a sunny spot. You can also use this technique for large indoor aquariums and terrariums, being careful not to break the glass.

    Wood Basking Ramps

    • A single, large piece of driftwood, stump or other natural branch can be sawed so it sits flat on the bottom of an aquarium or terrarium and offers a sloping grade out of the water. Measure the depth of the water in your aquarium. Use a piece of wood that will provide enough height to allow the turtles to leave the water. Use a hand saw or table saw to level off the bottom so it fits on the bottom of the tank without rocking.

      Another way to level out an irregularly-shaped piece of wood is to use dowels. Visualize how you want the ramp to sit in the aquarium. Mark three separate spots on the bottom of the piece of wood--these spot are where the dowels will sit as legs to support the ramp. Drill holes in these spots the same diameter as the dowels you will use. Larger dowels (1/2 inch or larger) will last longer. Drill about an inch into the wood for good support. Place the dowels in the holes and trim the bottom of the dowels to level out the piece of wood just above the surface of the water.

      For larger ponds and enclosures, you can make a floating wood basking ramp. Make it broad enough that the turtles will not flip it over when they climb on top. Floating ramps or ramps that are not connected to the shore offer more protection against potential predators and will make the turtle more likely to use the basking ramp. You can anchor a floating basking ramp in the middle of a pond using monofilament and a brick or other weight.