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I have recently rescued a RES hatchling from outta the road. He was very weak and lathargic.
He wouldn't use his hind legs at all. So I brought him in set up a small tank for him.
Shallow water, basking spot, heater (81 degrees) and filter. He has perked up a lot. Swims some
Started using his hind legs a little. Is more allert. But I haven't been able to get him to eat.
I've offered him. Blood worms, fresh dead fish, live fish, hatchling pellets, and greens.
Still no luck. He is only about an inch long has lost the yoke sack and so very small.
He hasn't basked any but likes laying in the water clinging to the basking site where its
Warm. Its been 3 1/2 days. We have a Vet appointment on Monday that was the soonest they
Could get us in.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

Well you did offer a large variety of foods,and the conditions seem perfect for a hatchling....Only other food i can think of is the "gammarus" (dried baby shrimp)
At this point just wait till monday and see what the vet says

Yay he's basking! I'm thinking that's a good sign. I seen a little turtle yoga too.

tammi wrote:Yay he's basking! I'm thinking that's a good sign. I seen a little turtle yoga too.

Yeah, they love to stretch out their back feet when they bask. Urr... so comfy...

Anyways, since the turtle is so tiny, and so new to the tank environment, it's going to be anywhere from a few days to three weeks before he settles in.

If you haven't tried this already, the best way to maximize security for a hatchling is to provide artificial or live plants. (Live plants are eaten, which could be good in this sense, but they don't last long). They seem to like leafy plants that hang into the water slightly. I see my turtles often tunnel under the plants I have for them. I use an approximately three foot vine, that they love dearly. They like river rocks to hide behind a lot too.

Know what, walmart sells plastic tank jewels, about an inch long, very colorful, and this little bags of those mancala glass stones, which are a little less than half an inch big. Those can't be eaten by a turtle this small, and they would provide some traction while the little one walks. It may have fun trying to move them around, and looking at the colors, too. (I got these in my turtles' prefered colors yesterday. They are having a blast).

So ready to get my little guy to the vet today. He still hasn't eaten and he's still listing to one side. Not swiming much. But
At least he is alert. Tried getting him to eat crickets last night with no luck.
Wish him luck today at the vet.

Lethargy and listing is a good sign that he has RI. The vet is the best bet. Check the “rules of the road” as the vet will ask you about them.
Good Luck!

i have 4 hatchlings i rescued from the streets they took about 2 weeks before they started behaving normally.