Urgent Care

Hi everyone I'm really worried, my 13 year-old RES hasn't been eating lately but not because he isn't hungry (he's actually pissed at me for "not feeding him") but because he doesn't like anything I give him.

Since his first years of life I'd fed him his pellets, after the 7th year I started adding fresh shrimp and fish to his diet (never leaving his pellets out) them I started adding fruits and vegetables to his diet which he didn't really liked eating (I read somewhere that he has a carnivorous stage which is why I thought that was the reason he didn't like them) but lately he doesn't want to eat his shrimp or fish, not even his pellets (thinking that he was finally changing to his adult stage where he wants a more veggie type diet) I started giving him vegetable and fruits to see what he would like, the first time he would eat anything I gave him, but then the second time he would just ignore it and demand me "food" (he's a very special fella) I tried shrimp again but as well it was ignored.

He hasn't been eating well in the last two week and I'm worried. He's still very active and moves a lot around my room when I let him out of his Aquarius but I've noticed that his red spots are turning pale. I love my stupid jerk to bits even though he has a horrible temper and I don't know what to do, he wants food but I can't seem to have any luck in finding what he wants.

I apologize for any grammar mistakes or weird typing.

There are a few things to consider here, the first being that fish and shrimp at your turtle's age are more like occasional treats than usual diet items (which you were wise to cut back on). Excess protein leads to unnecessarily fast shell growth, and in the worst cases organ damage. Just wanted to point that out, before anything bad happened.

Secondly, are you sure it's a male? Gravid (pregnant) females tend to go off feed, while adopting frantic activity patterns as they are searching for a nice nesting site.

Third, have you seen him basking or pooping lately? Those are both good indicators of digestive activity; a lack of either of them may point to your turtle not digesting properly enough to warrant further eating.

Finally (and this is the simplest possibility), have you tried just walking away after putting in some pellets and/or vegetable matter? Your turtle may just be getting excited for feeding time, and as long as you're standing there it may not notice that there's food already in the tank. I apologize if this part sounded a bit like an insult-your-intelligence question, I just wanted to double-check

. Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the best one!

Don't worry too badly about the lack of eating yet. RES can go a long time without eating. The red "ears" (I'm assuming that those are the "spots" you're referring to) fading are probably a result of aging.

Also, a description of your setup (tank size, water/basking temperatures, etc.) would really help us!

Well, my turtle's tail is quite long (it passes it's shell by a lot) and it's claws are pretty long as well (around an inch long i think?). Have I been living a lie?

he does bask, he specially likes doing that on top of my pikachu cushion (._. he stole that from me) because he feels like he's on top of a rock. He stretches his neck and stays calmly under the sunlight that comes from the window. I can't answer you about the poop one I'll have to pay attention on that one.

I do walk away when it's feeding time exactly because of that, he gets too excited since always so I just leave, but after a few hours when I check on him the food is still there and he's grumpy because he wants to eat. Don't worry about me feeling insulted, I'm too worried about him to care about that.

Tank has capacity for around 40 gallons (idk if that's too small maybe that's the problem and he's frustrated?) Water temp is usually 76-74F, basking is around 82F (I live in a deserted area so the sun's intensity being under 80 only happens during winter) He's also around 7 inches long or so, maybe 7.5... I saw a video once that for every inch of shell you need 10 gallons of water but I can't afford such tank nor i have the space for it....

I've never known a lack of space to contribute to food strikes. In addition, basking areas should be 90F, give or take 2 or 3 degrees in each direction.

The way I'm reading your posts, it seems that you're using sunlight through the window as basking light. Am I misinterpreting you? Turtles need actual heat as well as UV bulbs to be healthy and happy, not just window light.

I can't take him out, I don't have a fence and even if I did my sister's dog is not the type that you can leave alone with any other animal that isn't another dog (he dog has killed birds and cats while "playing" with them). I will definitely go get the UV bulbs. I've always had my doubts using direct sunlight here, since it can actually burn you (it's the type of intensity where you can cook food on the pavement since temperature can reach over 120F) but I guess I was doing more harm than good >_<.

I agree--I wouldn't take it outside if I were you, either! Not with that weather

.

His change in appearance is likely due to melanism. Pretty normal but the lack of appetite is a concern.

UPDATE: I moved my turtle to another section of my house (to a warmer one now his temp is around 78-80F and he liked it) and also change his habitat, his tank is a little "smaller" in height but it's much wider so he can move more.

After the 2nd day he had his first meal

a give him just a bit because he hasn't eaten anything in a while so I don't want him to get sick on his tummy, but he ate it all!

I'm going to try some turtle shots so he can have a more balance diet. I;m really happy that his finally eating >_<

Great news!

Urgent Care :: Very active RES but he won't eat [13yrs old]

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