where do australian murray short neck tortoise's sleep?

by JIM
(eilzabeth south australia)

I live in south Australia I brought a fresh water murray short neck tortoise and it sleeps in a tank that's about 2 thirds full of water as it is only a baby the pet shops say it needs more water then land... as it gets to about 4 years of age i hear it needs more land then water but until then i have it living in a tank of mainly water. i only had it a few hours and now its about 1.20am its going to be sleeping soon so my question is if it sleep in water will it drown? .......is it to young to sleep out of water without drying up n dying ( as it is still to young to live the water for more then 30min)??????

so where dose it sleep??
on land or in water?
can it sleep in either?
i am also wondering if anyone knows whether the murray short neck tortoise need company or if there territorial?
i only have one at the moment but it seems to get loney
so wats best for it?

Comments for where do australian murray short neck tortoise's sleep?

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Dec 18, 2021
 Sleeping turtle
by: Sur

Our 12 year old bread and butter plate sized Murray river short neck sleeps with eyes closed- under damp towel and at bottom of tank - doses during day and has long sleep at night on damp in lidded box. We feed it in a separate bowl so tank keeps clearer longer - South Australia. Got lots of personality and likes extra treats like squashed snails, slatters and other beetles. Wanders around the house for short times as exercise and it explores and gets to know it’s way around ( gets in a small bowl of water via one rock on outside and another in the bowl as steps in and out but keep it off carpeting as can ingest fluff and fibers!!
Oct 29, 2020
 Murray River Turtle
by: Anonymous

I have a Murray River short neck turtle - had 3 babies but when the became adults found out they were all boys,the dominate turtle was constantly bbiting,had to seperate them.the one I still have is 5years old & he sleeps standing up with his nose out of the water.he comes out of his tank for a walk most days,im not sure if he gets lonely
Jan 03, 2019
 Sleeping turtle
by: Anonymous

Hi , i also have a baby short neck turtle it was given to be as a gift. I always talk to it and hold it, he seems to like that and always swim towards me. My turtle sleeps in the plants i always buy him but they make a mess also. I wanted to try the fake plants but im just a little bit worried some might be toxic. I will have to do some more research i think
Apr 08, 2018
 Australian tortoises
by: Shelly

You are correct that no tortoises are native to Australia. This page explains terminology in three regions. http://www.totallytortoise.com/tortoise-turtle-terrapin.html

Even though Australians don't have indigenous tortoises, Australians do have the means to talk about tortoises worldwide

Keep it slow and steady.
Apr 07, 2018
 There are no native tortoises in Australia.
by: Anonymous

Hey guys,

Tortoises don’t live in Australia. These Murray river "tortoises" you guys speak of are turtles. There’s a long and short neck version too. Shorts are more common.

Secondly, they sleep in the water for short stints in between breaths and can also absorb some oxygen through their skin from the water a little.

Finally, some of these comments are bloody hilarious.
May 11, 2016
 Do turtles need company?
by: George

I was given a baby Murray short-neck turtle and I live in South Australia. It is tiny, maybe 4 cm across, and I bought it a friend - bit bigger maybe 5cm. They didn't fight and tended to hang at the same end of the aquarium together. Maybe because that is where the plant is and also the water heater. Sadly I but them outside to get some UV and the bigger one ran away very quickly and I can't find it :( Not sure now if they need company - I think they would prefer it. Also, they just LOVE wrigglers (baby mosquitos) to hunt and eat. I also put in a few tadpoles they hunted and demolished (I didn't think they would catch them)so I won't put them in again. But wrigglers are great - keeps them busy! How cute are the little turtle faces btw?
Feb 26, 2016
 Thank You
by: White_Rose47

Thanks for telling me I appreciate that.
Feb 26, 2016
 drinking
by: Anonymous

All tortoises and turtles can take in water through their skin and openings in their bodies.

I don't know about sleeping with their eyes open. Sorry.
Feb 26, 2016
 Do murray short neck sleep with their eyes closed or drink anything?
by: White_Rose47

Hi I just got a tortoise and I heard they sleep on plants my one is just going to bed but I'm not really sure if it is because its just chilling on a plant with its eyes open so do they sleep with their eyes open or shut? Also I'm wondering if these tortoise drink anything in particular I would like to know that.
Sep 05, 2009
 murray river turtles sleep paterns
by: Anonymous

Hi We also have murray river short necks . We got two cause I thought one would be lonely by itself, they live with feeder fish . They dont interact much together but they dont fight either. As for their sleeping they seem to slow their breathing down and sleep underwater usualy in the leaves of plants. I too worried about drowning but its been eight months now and they still have never tried to use there floating deck.
Apr 23, 2009
 thanks
by: jim

thanks very much guys but are the two the people who said turtle aware i was going on about a tortoise? not a turtle?
lol yeah our Australian tortoise's r very odd n r similar to turtles while young lol
so thank u all very much for taking the time to leave a comment n help out
n thanks for the idea Shelly i think i shall try that :)
Apr 21, 2009
 Sweet Dreams
by: Heather

Hi,
i have recently purchased a short neck turtle approximately 5cm in size.
I placed 2 grass like plants in his tank, weighed it down in the centre with a small rock, he now sleeps in the plant like a bird in the nest.

Maybe this will help.
Apr 19, 2009
 Australian tortoise
by: Shelly

I'm not an expert on my down under cousins, but other tortoises don't need company. If you do get a second tortoise you will have to provide enough space for them to get away from each other.

If your pet seems lonely, you can make friends with him. Talk to him, especially when you bring special food treats. He will soon figure out that you are someone nice to be with.

Keep it slow and steady.
Apr 13, 2009
 short necked turtle
by: Anonymous

I'm not sure where your turtle needs to sleep, but if you don't know, you should provide a little of everything. That would mean some water and some place to get out of the water.

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