General Care Discussion :: hatchling diet

[starscollided]

When squirt was a baby he ate EVERYTHING that i gave him veggies - pellets - shrimp - etc...

Chomper is my new hatchling and i take him out of the tank to feed him to make sure that he is actually eating. When i feed him he only eats about 2 pellets (reptomin baby) I give him shrimp occasionally and he seems to like this a bit more but really doesnt eat much - - - i brought him to the vet and he has been given a clean bill of health - Im just afraid hes not getting enough to eat - -

about how much Should he be eating ( i mean i know as much that can fit into his head but his head is soo small!) i guess i may be unnecessarily worried but it seems almost unusual for him not to be trying to "pig out" hehe

[RESnTX]

How long have you had the new baby? It may take him a while to feel comfortable enough with you to beg for more. When mine was little he loved peaches. I don't remember how I discovered that. Fruit would entice him to try most anything I put in with him. He would get a tiny piece of fruit first then the rest of his meal. He eventually learned to like all his veggies at a pretty young age.

[BullDog]

I haven't had a hatchling for a long time, but I've heard that usually 2-3 pellets is "head sized".
How long have you had him? He may still be adjusting (it can take any turtles a while to feel totally comfortable). Also, it's not too early start on some veg. Maybe he'll just love his veg!

[starscollided]

[megcornell]

I think when I first had Leo I fed her 3-4 pellets of the baby reptomin size.
His scutes definitely look like they are growing so I wouldn't be concerned if 2 or 3 is his limit for now. Definitely start him on veggies as soon as possible.

[marisa]

Try keeping a strand or two of anachris in the tank as well, if you can buy it. Babies like to nibble on it, rest on it and hide in it. That's a cute little bugger.

[frog]

what are scutes? (did i spell that right?)

[marisa]

They're the individual plates that cover the shell. They are shed as a turtle grows.