Urgent Care :: My RES turtle's are not eating?

[HelpMeHesdying]

My turtle's are usually very active but for the past couple of weeks they haven't been moving as much and not eating food. I have 3 turtle's, 2 are 5 years old, and one is 8 months old. They live in different aquariums. I don't have a water heater and the water is very cold. Is that why they aren't eating? How long can they live without food?

[Jeremiah]

I would agree that lack of eating comes hand-in-hand with cold air/water temperatures. Sliders are okay down to around 60F in the water, but not lower than that. Do you have a thermometer, and do the turtles have a heated basking area? Have you heard any weird breathing sounds from them, and how is their swimming?

A healthy RES can go weeks or even months without eating (which we should try to avoid), so if they quit eating fairly recently, and are otherwise healthy, you should be okay for a little bit--at least until you get water heaters. Keeping them too cold for too long can result in a respiratory infection.

[HelpMeHesdying]

I would agree that lack of eating comes hand-in-hand with cold air/water temperatures. Sliders are okay down to around 60F in the water, but not lower than that. Do you have a thermometer, and do the turtles have a heated basking area? Have you heard any weird breathing sounds from them, and how is their swimming?

A healthy RES can go weeks or even months without eating (which we should try to avoid), so if they quit eating fairly recently, and are otherwise healthy, you should be okay for a little bit--at least until you get water heaters. Keeping them too cold for too long can result in a respiratory infection.

No symptoms of RI, but should I move my turtle's into the house so they'll be warmer?

[HelperTurtle123]

It's most likely due to the cold water, see if you can heat it up, if not see if you can move it inside .

[HelpMeHesdying]

Even after I got my water heater they are still not eating. What should I do?

[steve]

How long have they had been using it?

[HelpMeHesdying]

How long have they had been using it?

3 days

[steve]

Are they still active? Can you try different foods?