Feeding and Nutrition :: Thoughts on feeding in a separate container

[abeck99]

We have been feeding our RES mainly pellets and occasionally freeze dried shrimp for a snack.
We got some crickets dipped in vitamins for a change and our two turtles loved them, except it made a huge mess in the tank.

I was wondering what people thought of feeding them crickets in a separate container - so far we haven't been able to convince them to eat anything but pellets in a separate container, they are too frightened.

Also all we have is a small container that is water-tight that just fits the two turtles with barely any extra room and a much larger container that can't hold water. We can get them to eat pellets in the smaller container when there's water but they never eat without water.

So our questions are : How can we entice them to eat in another container and do most RES prefer water for eating?

Thanks!
----------------------
/andrew and maya
with
Steven (RES) and The Honorable Mr. Watermelon (RES)

[kmichael55]

RES must have water to eat. They do not have the salivary gland necessary to eat without it. I would suggest getting a larger water-tight container.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I have a laundry tub for my big girl (it's one of those rubbermaid things that holds maybe 2.5 gallons in it). Fill with water at feeding time, put pellets in, then put turtle in. She eats, I take her back to her tank, then dump the feeding water. This method works GREAT for her & limits the mess in the tank.

If you ONLY feed them in the separate container (don't give them any food in their tank) they will eventually associate the separate container with eating/food. Turtles can be taught lots of things with food. I once said in another post that the way to a turtle's heart is thru the stomach & it is very true!

Also, what Kate said is true: RES's can not swallow food without water.

And since you have 2 turtles, you may have to feed each one separately. So get 2 pans & feed them simultaneously! That's also a good way to ensure that both turts are each getting the right amounts of food in their meal.