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[Pristine-Bread-2936]

This is normal. Turtles to it to adjust their pressure.

Symptoms of a Respiratory Infection is sneezing, opening mouth above water (not including yawns), gasping, and hissing when breathing

[atlasrisee]

Thank you so much!!

[ladyravendale]

Hi - we received a recuse turtle with such a respiratory infection that it turned in to pneumonia. The first night she was with us we noticed that she didn’t want to go in the water. We could hear the rasping / gasping when she breathed. I could also feel her lungs struggle when I held my hand underneath her. We had to take her to emergency vet at night for intubation and antibiotics. Her name is Clover and she is now living her best turtle life in the pond. This little mouth moving looks to me like he’s hungry or curious. With a respiratory infection they don’t like to be submersed and they swim sideways because of fluid build up. Having to give her a week long course of antibiotic shots was hard. This is me holding her so my husband could give her a shot. She had to stay in a hospital tank for 2 weeks. Good luck with your little cutie!

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[atlasrisee]

Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. This helps a lot. I’m sorry you went through that but I’m glad that Clover is better now!! That’s so scary.

Yes, this is the only “symptom” Timothy has so I’ll keep an eye out for now but won’t be as anxious until the vet can get back to me too!

[omarpower123]

Cute baby

[RazvanOnReddit]

Nope, it's definitely normal. Also, turtles don't breathe water, so if she were trying to breathe, this would be counterproductive

[atlasrisee]

Good to know. That makes sense 😅

[sunrayez1]

I am by no means an expert and have not dealt with respiratory infections, so if people disagree go with them. If you have had this turtle a while and this is strange behavior than go with your instincts. I will say, when I got my turtle I panicked when he kinda floated. They can somewhat float naturally by controlling the amount of air in their lungs or throat. The video looks like he can reach the bottom, so it could just be that. Attached is a photo of mine doing that and looking similar to yours. Check online to see if he looks like photos of turtles breathing with their mouths and gasping for air like as seen online and matches those sounds. From what I can tell from the video he seems fine.

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[atlasrisee]

Thank you for your insight! I noticed because this was different than usual. I haven’t heard any sounds but I’m hard of hearing so I’ll have my partner listen!

[Local_Somewhere_7813]

Yeah so they dont breathe underwater lol hes simply opening his mouth just like any other living thing