General Care Discussion :: Turtle not eating

[joem1481]

I got a baby RES yesterday morning. arounf 11:00. I dont think he has eaten any of his food. I am giving him these pellets that i got from the place i biught the RES from. They say turles like it i am not sure what it is exactly it seems to be somethign they make. I got him form [link removed] and it is the food they advertised with baby turtles. there is a picture of it in a bowl. Anyway what should i do if he does not eat i dont want him to starve. What do i do? Is this normal?



[Edit from Steve: Site link removed. We do not support or endorse that site. Thanks.]

[jenaero]

Ok, I know this isn't what your post was about, but what are you keeping your turtle in? I ask because I know turtlesale [not reputable].com sells those plastic lagoons that are deemed by us as "Death Bowls". Can you describe your setup please?

[joem1481]

oh. lol. no i dont have that i knew those looked like bad new. It is a 10 gallon tank filled about 6 or 7 gallons. 83 degrees. basking area. Nice cave to climb on and go in. WHich the snail is living and and does not come out of. lol. heat lamp, UVB lamp. and i just bought a fake plant to put in the tank.

[jenaero]

*whew* good to hear. Is 83 the basking temp or the water temp? If you haven't already read it, the water temp should be 78 for a hatchling, 72-75 for an older turt. Basking temp should be 10 degrees higher.

[jenaero]

oh, and to answer your original question, your turtle probably won't eat until he gets used to his new home. Offer food every day but take a net and scoop out anything that is not eaten in an hour because it'll funkify the water pretty quick. He should start eating in a few days.

[joem1481]

ok thanks. you know alot how many do you have?

[jenaero]

I've been here for a while, and I learned most from here and from my vet. I've got 4 res and a box turtle and another on the way.

[marisa]

If he's refusing to eat, since he's a baby, you also might get him eating by offering something that moves (like pieces of earthworm) and/or something with a stronger smell (bits of tuna, for example). Once he's eating though, get him back on the pellets and vary with other foods (the pellets you have are called Reptomin Baby?).

[joem1481]

yeah i just picked up reptomin baby and sund dried shrimp i thought he might eat that