General Care Discussion :: Dead Turtle

[zieg99]

I am new to turtles and message boards in general.

I bought 2 RES about a week ago.
They have been very active in a 1000 gal pond with alot of places to get into the sun and alot of plants and caves to hide in.
Pond is healthy with a few Comets and Koi doing well.

Last night the most active one crawled under a plant outside of the pond and this morning he is dead. No obvious signs.

The only thing I noticed was they haven't been eating much. I leave them pellets and veggies etc. Very little eaten. Did he starve to death?

At this point my main concern is to try and figure out what happened so I can avoid this with the other turtle.

Any comments ar suggestions please.

Thanks in advance

[sonyj]

How big are your RES, including the one who passed on (shell from tip to tip not including curve)? What's the weather like where you are (day and night temps)?

If you just got them a week ago, he could have been ill already. It does take a little while for them to adjust to their surroundings before they will eat but they shouldn't starve to death in just a week. They can go for long periods of time without food in the wild.

Sorry about your loss. I hope someone else can help more with knowing why he passed away.

[zieg99]

Both RES are about 4-5"
I live in Southern California
Day and night temps have been very nice. Especially the last few days. Very warm. Lots of shady spots in and out of the water.

The other RES is still active doesn't show any signs of problems. He spends alot more time in and underwater than the other one did.

[marisa]

Sorry to hear the news. Since you said you got them only a week ago, their not eating could just be they were going through an adjustment phase, and at the size you said they are, a week without food wouldn't have starved them.

The one that died could have had something to begin with (the turtle looked and acted as if s/he were healthy?). From what you said, the one turtle was basking a lot? (I'm assuming this because you say the other one spends a lot more time swimming around/in and underwater than the one that died.) If so, how was the one turtle more active than the one that's swimming in the pond?

I'd keep an eye on the other one for any signs of illness. Do you use any chemicals in/around the pond?

[zieg99]

When I say the other was "more" active, I meant in and out of the pond way more often. And when in the pond would swim around more than the other. I don't use any chemicals in or around the pond.

What suprised me the most is there was no obvious sign of sickness, all seemed well.???

[marisa]

It is possible for a turtle to be ill and not show any obvious symptoms until the illness is well advanced. I'm really sorry you lost him. Just curious, but what exactly did he look like when you found him?

[zieg99]

When I found him his head was tucked in and his feet were out about 1/2 way.
It really looked like he crawled under this plant stopped and that was it.