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[instar]

Some hatchlings are smarter than average and tend not to bask much, since in the wild, basking presents an opprtunity to predators like foxes for eg. As long as the water temp is right hell be ok, but dry periods are good for them, discourages fungus. If the basking light is nice and warm, hell scramble aboard when he wants!

Basking is primarily for thermoregulation, the uva/uvb of the sun, is a bonus, turtles dont know they need it for D-3. Be sure to get him outside as much as you can while its small and growing particularly, even on cloudy days. Softshell is also caused by lack as calcium aswell, so ensure its diet includes it. whole freshwater fish are an ideal source of calcium, you can also add calcium in pwder form into pre-prepped meals then freeze. most insects can be dusted since they float, some will wash off but they will get some. Cuttlebone for birds is great calcium too, they munch on it over time, you can grate it for hatchlings.