I have a little yellow bellied slider turtle. I got a heat lamp after 2 weeks without one. The bulb is 75 watts & 9 in. above the basking area. So far the turtle hasn’t gone to bask. And the area is pretty hot to the touch. What could be wrong?

My side neck turtle didn't use the basking area for about a month after I got her, but now she does so regularly, on a daily basis. It may be that the turtle needs time to adapt, but I'm no expert.

We have a Cumberland slider. I didn't see him bask for weeks, because he was skittish and would only do so when no one was around. They know when they need to dry out, he may be going up there at night? Have you tried placing him under the heat lamp?