General Care Discussion :: It's been a week--and he won't eat!

[Evie]

I mentioned this in another post, and I was told that turtles sometimes go for days or weeks without eating in a new environment. Some people tell me it's normal, but others seem very concerned.

Seuss just won't eat! I've given him pellets, crickets, bits of apple, and cooked chicken, but he isn't interested in any of it. A lot of people feed their turtles lettuce, and we're going to buy some today, but I doubt he'll even look twice.

Is there anything that would keep him from eating for so long? We don't have a water heater, and I know the water isn't at 80 degrees, but it's not freezing, either. He's pretty active--not hiding all day or anything.

Any ideas about what's wrong or how I can coax him to eat a little?

[jenaero]

Knowing the temperature of the water and basking area is so important. If either are too low a turtle will likely refuse to eat. Go get a thermometer and check both temps if you haven't already.

[SpotsMama]

I bet it's too cold.

[marisa]

Check those temps (water and basking area) and try a cut-up earthworm.