General Care Discussion :: Odd Behavior... Hibernation??

[cchipres]

Yes, RES do have personalities and "moods". Especially when it comes to their food. They will sulk, they will try to trick you into thinking they are eating their food.

Parker never hisses and me, but she has been known to "huff", usually during the winter months when she doesn't want to be bothered. Also, I think during this time they are sort of "twilight-sleeping-walking" so they don't always recognize us quickly. I know Parker does a lot of "huffing" in the winter months when she doesn't recognize me right away. Then she's okay after I reintroduce myself, especially after a long sleep.

I have heard Parker huff and spit at her reflection in the water box when the light makes a reflection of the "other turtle". One day she really got into it, and I had to remove her from the situation. She was puffing herself up and stretching her tail out and stretching her back legs to arch her back, swelling her neck, and puffing the fat around her shoulders to make herself look bigger. She even started attacking the reflection sideways like a cat does. It's not a good idea to let them see their reflection during the winter months, because they naturally want to be alone while they sleep for the winter.~~~~

[Arisu]

are you still thinking about moving your heat lamp? you dont need to unless it doesnt match the suggested temperature (10* hotter than water temp, so 85*-90*F)

[queenjane]

So I've been posting in the "Urgent Care" section now...

I don't know if the shape of his eyes have changed due to growth or if it's because of a health problem. I've been giving him those eyedrops on a daily basis and it seems to have helped a little.

But oddly, Tank still seems to be sleeping significantly more than he did in the summer months. He sleeps on his basking area and in the water.

The reason I thought he had an eye problem was because his eyes were always shut, and up until two weeks ago I had never once caught him sleeping. He was way too vigilant to let me sneak up on him like that. I'd literally never seen his eyes shut... I didn't even know that he had eyelids!

It seems as though just as the temperature dropped, so did Tank's behavior. His water is at 78-80 now because I was told 82 is only for sick turtles. He moves around during the day with eyes open but 80% of the time I see him he's sleeping. And I'm home a lot.

For example, I put him back in his water only two minutes ago, and already he's motionless with his eyes shut, sleeping.

As for his appetite, I quit feeding him his all-shrimp diet a week ago because I know it's terrible for his health. I give him four different kinds of food to choose from daily: ReptoMin pellets, this other kind of pellet, a turtle soft food, the turtle jello shots (forum recipe), and apple peel. He hasn't eaten any of it in a week. Refuses.

Other than that, nothing abnormal is going on. In summary,

1)I'm not sure if his eyes are puffy or if they have just changed shape from growing.
2)Tank is sleeping all the time and knocks off really quickly.
3)Tank won't eat anything on his new diet and hasn't in a week.

Here are photos:

[cchipres]

Dear Queenjane,

Tank is just so cute! I love looking at these pictures. I don't think he's sick.
It's just Winter time and their little bodies know it. Even if you keep him warm, his RES (ancient wisdom) knows it's time to slow down. Keep giving him little protein snacks in the Winter, because he's still a baby, it's okay. In the Spring offer him his turtle jello, shrimp snacks, maybe some wiggly worms, and then get him started on his veggies. But not now, his little metabolism has slowed down and he won't digest the vegetation in enough time to clear his bowels and that causes problems with baby turtles.

He looks very healthy. He sleeps because the water is warm and cozy. Oh, how I envy you with your little RES baby turtle!

[queenjane]

Phew. I was so scared. Thank you!!

He started eating some of the pellets because he's hungry, but I discontinued the shrimp. Should I let him have them as a snack, but not as a meal? I'm afraid that if I feed him just shrimp he will ignore the pellets like he always has because he knows if he just kicks them out of the way he will get something better. (He's a sneak.)

[Mandyb]

I would stop with the shrimp and krill for awhile. When he's finally on a balanced diet then give him some as like a monthly treat. I know how you feel about the spoiling my turtle is so snobby with her food, she was so spoiled at one point she wouldn't eat unless I hand fed her. LOL just tough love is the key if u feed him too much protein his shell is going to pymrid( bad spelling sorry!) and then that can be dangerous get him on a balanced diet asap

[cchipres]

Dear QueenJane,

I agree. Too much of a good thing is bad for their shells. But they love the stuff! Okay, I'm not a good one to give advice because I spoiled Parker and she did get a bad shell development. But later I learned how to feed her and now she has a beautiful shell. She still likes to get her back scratched though. Okay, I'm off the subject again! Do feed him his pellets.

Another story: When Parker was just a baby, I got into a routine of warm bath water, and a little krill or gammarus snack before bedtime. One day, I forgot to give her the snack, and she just about had a little fit. She started shaking and jumping in and out of the water and stretching her neck to get my attention. I made sure everyting was alright, then I realized, she wanted her nighttime snack. So, just as soon as I gave it to her, she gobbled it up so fast and then went to sleep.

[queenjane]

Well I've sucessfully got his basking temps up to 90 degrees, his water at 80, and he is now on a diet of HBH Turtle Bites and other bits of fruit and veggies I'm trying to introduce him to.

Yayy!

Thank you again for all of your help.

[cchipres]

Just curious, what is HBH food? Tell me more about the food you are getting, I want to get some for Parker too. She likes the green floating sticks, and the pellets, but now the manufacturer only sells the pellets in the "growth formula". Where can I get a good adult food that has the right % of protein, fat and fiber? Everything I find is 35% protein. ~~~~

[steve]

HBH is just another brand of pellets.