General Care Discussion

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 5:14 pm **New Home**

This weekend my boyfriend and I moved our two RES from his home (in a 10 gallon) to my new apartment. They are now in a rubbermaid tub that holds 20 (I think). They haven't been doing much and haven't eaten at all. Usually our Paco is a pig and will eat straight from our hand while pookie, likes her privacy. But neither have touched food for a couple days. My boyfriend says its because of the changes, more water, can't see through their new home, and right now the water isn't as warm as before because we need to get a heater that is meant for the larger amount of water. But at which point should I be concerned?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 7:09 pm

You absolutely need to get the proper heating, that's a priority. If the water gets too cool, a turtle's whole system slows down, and they don't digest properly. That's one reason they might stop eating. But I agree that it's common for stress to mess up eating behaviors. The vets I've seen have all told me that because turtles do everything slower, it's not a big deal if they don't eat for a few days to a week. After that if all the tank conditions are right and they're still not eating maybe consider other options. If you're worried try giving them a little bit of tuna or soaking their pellets in tuna juice, my turtles go NUTS over the strong smell of tuna, and many turtles will eat it when they won't eat anything else.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:23 am

How big are your turtles?

I agree that the heater is very important. Your water temp needs to be at 76F for older turtles, around 80F for babies I believe (someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong).

I like your turtle's names

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 1:32 am

Ditto about the heater.

If you can keep the water temp in the upper 70's and they don't perk up in the next couple of days, then you should get concerned. They are probably just still adjusting to their new home. Once they get used to having more space they will really love it!

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 12:59 pm

Make the changes you know you need to (warmer water, check the basking area temp) and give them a little time to see if they come around. It's only been a few days, and you should start to see some of their old behavior by the weekend. Their behavior can change when their habitat is changed, but if they're healthy, they should start behaving like their old selves when they get used to it.

If you changed the basking area, is it easy to get on? If the water is much deeper, do they have something like floating plants to hang on to?

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:51 pm

I'm going shopping for a new heater this weekend. I don't think our current heater can keep up. Right now their water is the low 70s when they are used to high 70 low 80s. They have still been basking and they hold onto their basking this while floating at the top of the water. I'll look into something else for them to hold onto. I'll also try the tune thing. Our Paco LOVES to eat. So its he isn't, then I'm concerned.

Paco is about 4" or just under and Pookie is 3". When we got them a few months ago they were the same size, but Paco just grows and grows...

I miss when the were itty bitty!

Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 10:55 pm

When you say they hang onto the basking area while floating, do you mean that's how they bask? Are they able to get up out of the water and dry off completely?

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:27 pm

No they get up to bask. They only do that when they've been under a while or checking out the space before climbing up.

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:02 pm

It's been a few days since you first mentioned a problem. How are Paco and Pookie now? Are they eating?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:54 am

They seem a lot better. They are slower gettting back to their old eating habits. They are exploring more of their new home and I've walked in on both of them basking. They don't like to bask when we are there to see them. But I know they do because when I get home, their floating basking thing is moving all crazy, along with the water. I hope eventually they will get back to all their old habits. Paco used to swim into our hands and ate from them too... Awww. Thanks for all the great help. I'm hoping to get them into a better home when funds are available, so I'll be going through this agian. Happens everytime you change their home, right?

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:53 pm

They are sensitive little things aren't they!

Actually, as they get older and more used to you they will become less and less shy and will bounce back much quicker from a change.

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:10 pm

wow. for a 4 inch and 3 inch turtle being kept together your make-shift tank is way too small!!

the general rule is 10 gallons of water for every inch of shell. so you need at least a 70 gallon tank, preferably 85 to make up for the air you need for the basking area!!!!
www.craiglist.com has GREAT local tanks, usually for pretty cheap! i know youre turtles would appriciate the swimming room! look into it, please?

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:07 pm

I know its small. We are trying to weigh out our options. When we got them we had NO idea everything they would need. But we are doing our best to be a good Mom and Dad. I have a studio apartment and I'm not even allowed to have an small tank (Not where I lived when we first got them). Upon which there really is no room for a huge tank. We have plans for when we get a home but for now, we are trying to keep things as comfortable for them as possible.

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:44 pm

Most people don't know how much they need when they bring their turtles home! It's good of you to try and catch up and get them what they need.

I have a suggestion if I may, a lot of people are starting to use the rubbermaid containers that you can get at kmart or wal mart. They work really well. I got one for my box turtles.

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