Urgent Care :: New Babies NEED HELP ASAP PLEASE !!!

[DeNulsky]

Hi All!

My name is Michelle and my Boyfriend and I just got two baby red eared sliders. The person before me got them for free and was keeping them in a small enclosure for about a week- with no lamp. I now have them in a 10 gallon tank with a filter, UVA lamp and rocks so that they can be in water and land with light. We bought them Tetra baby red ear food. I have been trying to feed them, but they don't seem to be eating. The only thing I have seen them eat is a SMALL piece of apple. We got desperate and thought we would try anything. When we put the turtle food in they swim towards it but never eat it. It would sit there forever if we let it. I have heard that if they have a shell that you can push in- and or is soft they are going to die. Their shells do seem to be slightly soft and it is scaring us. They are very lively and love swimming. I don't know what is wrong, and if you could help me PLEASE I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you soo much and hope to hear from you VERY soon.

[SpotsMama]

Read up on all the information on habitat. Especially for the little ones, it's very important that their habitat be wholesome and that they not get chilled and that their water is kept clean.

If you just got your little turtles they are probably not eating because they're still adjusting to their habitat. For a few days after they are in a new habitat they need some peace and quiet and privacy. You might put some cardboard or something around the tank to make it more private. Be very quiet and gentle around them until they get used to you and know you're not about to eat them!

Do you have a water heater? What temperature is the water? If water is too cold the turtle won't eat. The water needs to be at around 78 degrees. The only way to know what the temperature is is to measure it with a thermometer. You can't tell by touch.

If the little ones haven't eaten for a week already then you need to get them started as soon as possible. Here's a link to some tips on how to get a turtle to eat.

http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

Good luck!

[DeNulsky]

Thanks soo much for your help. I don't have a water heater but am planning on getting one ASAP. I did try giving them some tuna, and they seemed to enjoy that. Thank again, I'll keep you posted.

[da sAUCE!]

yeah, go ahead and take some time to peruse our humble little website here. Do some research, you can find out a lot of stuff. Like things RESs need to survive.good luck.

[steve]

There is also some basic info here: www.redearslider.com/hatchling_tips.html

[Evelyn]

Hi,
I wish the pet shops would help out people with information and things they need for their new pets. It would be best to by a water heater for our babies.
You could try turning of the filter when you feed them. You could offer them small pieces of meat or fish. I always had dogs so I offered them small pieces of meat from can dog food, canned cat food to. This way only when the turtle were young.
Evelyn