General Care Discussion :: Turtles become very lazy as they get older?

[CrossKnight]

I have had my turtle for about 10 months now, when I got Twiggy it was about a inch long or less. Now Twiggy is about 2.5-3 inches, Twiggy has become very inactive, Twiggy use to swim a lot and go underwater often but for the past 2-3 weeks Twiggy has just been basking all day then only active to get food. Twiggy does sleep in the water though, and I don't know what gender Twiggy is either.

My question is, is the behavior normal? I brought Twiggy to the vet 4 days ago and she said Twiggy was normal. (I forgot to ask her to tell me Twiggy's gender >_< and she isn't a herb vet ).

I know a vet's word is best but I really like Twiggy and I'm just really worried.

Tank is 50 gallons
Water temp is 76-78 degrees
Basking temp is 90 degrees
Feed Reptomin, Neutrafin
Aqua Clear 110 Filter
Visa Therm Stealt heater

[megcornell]

Usually lethargy is a sign of illness. It's good that twiggy is eating though. I'd bump up her water temperature and keep an eye out for more symptoms such as appetite loss and lopsided swimming. When she does swim how does she look?

I'd find a herp vet and make an appointment. Non- specialists aren't as good to see because they don't see reptiles often and usually have no idea how to treat them, so the vet's opinion that you got really isn't that valuable.

[CrossKnight]

ok, I'll bump the temp up. I'll have to find a herp vet near me too. Twiggy's swimming doesn't seem to be very different then usual. Twiggy does dive and stuff but seems frantic sometimes when swimming. Also once in a while, not all the time, when Twiggy swims the back part (the tail) seems to float where as my other turtle when swimming, has the whole shell part underwater, other then that no lopsided swimming. Twiggy does eat a lot thank god.

[SpotsMama]

What megcornell said is good. Turtles as small as yours - and even grown turtles - are usually pretty active. Lethargy is a sign they're either too cold or they're not feeling good. Boosting the water temperature to 80 or 82 degrees fahrenheit will boost her immune system if she's coming down with something. A rear end that wants to float high in the water can be a symptom of a digestive tract problem.

[CrossKnight]

Ok, as soon as possible I'm going to bring Twiggy to a herp vet, but it seems that Twiggy has gone back to normal and is very active now.

Everything seems normal and I am relieved, but I noticed Twiggy acts like this everytime I give him/her some romain lettuce or Cuttlebone. Is my turtle allergic to those stuff or something?

[SpotsMama]

That's great that Twiggy's peppy again. Just keep a close eye on her in case she starts going downhill again.

On romaine, it's one of the things on the list that are ok to give occasionally but not as a daily item. It's got something in it that interfers with turtle's absorption of calcium.

If a turtle eats a whole lot of veggies - like a big hunk of romaine - he/she will probably get gassy from all the fiber. If Twiggy is really chowing down on romaine, then that may be what causes her rear to float up and to feel a bit poorly for awhile. Every so often there's a turtle that you need to limit the veggies for - or at least some veggies. Most turtles don't have that problem.

[CrossKnight]

Oh wow, I didn't know that romaine causes gas for some turtles. I thought I would be able to feed my turtle lot so of it. I know better now!!

Thanks! ^_^

[SpotsMama]

I'm not saying that's necessarily what's going on with your turtle - but it's a possibility. Most turtles will stop eating veggies before they reach the point that they are gassy and feel upset, but sometimes it happens. If your turtle just overdid it with the romaine then she should pass a lot of droppings and return to normal. If she doesn't, then you worry.

[industrial_girl_2000]

At Sheba's age (over 17 yrs old) you would expect her to be very lethargic, but she is NOT. Actually, she is VERY active & rearranges her tank, swims and runs around the house when I let her out to walk in the living room. This turtle never stops! A turtle that is healthy will run run run run run all day long. That's what they do.

So keep an eye on your little one. Sometimes too many greens can make their bellies upset. This happens to Sheba when she eats too many collard greens.