Pet turtles are adorable, but they can be creepy too.
If you own a turtle, you will notice that it stares at you from time to time.
This makes most people wonder, why does my turtle stare at me? There’s more than one reason behind this action, so read on and learn how to fix it.
What does it mean when your turtle stares at you?
While there are many different types of turtles, one thing they all have in common is the ability to stare at you.
It’s not a friendly gaze; it’s an intense look that makes you feel like your turtle is trying to communicate with you.
But what does it mean when your turtle stares at you? There are a few possibilities as to why this might be happening.
They have a lot of questions!
Turtles are naturally curious animals, so if they stare at you, it could be because they want to learn more about you and your surroundings.
They think you look delicious!
Turtles love meat, and if they’re hungry enough, they may find human flesh very appetizing.
If your turtle keeps staring at you while you eat, be careful — he may decide to snatch your food away.
Your Turtle Might Be Hungry
If your turtle is staring at you for more than 30 seconds, he may be hungry. If this is the case, it’s important to feed him right away so that he doesn’t get too anxious and start biting or scratching himself while waiting for food.
Your Turtle May Be Sick
If your turtle has been staring at you for more than 30 seconds and isn’t hungry, then he may be sick or injured.
In this case, it’s best to take him to the vet as soon as possible so that he can get the medical attention he needs.
How to make your turtle not scared of you?
Turtles are generally not very friendly animals. They are shy and tend to be afraid of people.
This is especially true for turtles that were taken from the wild and brought into captivity.
Turtles that were raised from hatchlings in captivity may grow up more friendly, but this is not always the case.
Even if they are raised in captivity, they still have a natural instinct to be wary of people.
The best way to make your turtle less afraid of you is to spend time with him every day.
Start by spending 15 minutes a day with your turtle, sitting on the floor so he can come up and see you as he pleases.
Talk to him gently and don’t expect too much from him at first – just try to get him used to having you around.
Once he has gotten used to spending time with you and seeing you every day, try holding him for longer periods of time (up to an hour at first) and then gradually increasing that amount over time until he’s comfortable being held for longer periods of time each day (for example 1 hour in the morning and another hour in the evening).
In truth, all species, including turtles, are creatures of habit.
They aren’t staring at you, they’re just focused on what they do all day every day.
So until your little turtle becomes more familiar with his surroundings and becomes more comfortable in his new home, don’t be offended if he seems to stare—it’s just the way turtles are.