General Care Discussion :: Sick or Hibernating? Please Help

[JELslider]

I read the post that someone else had about hibernation. But it was never determined whether or not the turtle was indeed hibernating.

My turtle has been acting the same way as his...not eating right, and acting sluggish. She sees the food sticks, eats three or so, and then goes about her business. She does however eat her shrimp! I don't know if she just all of a sudden doesnt like the Reptomin anymore or what.

What I noticed about her behavior is that she is sluggish, I want to say she seems depressed, but its a turtle... She sits at the bottom of the tank and just stares out...not moving. This is odd behavior for her, she is generally very active especially when it comes to feeding time.

I am concerned, I don't know if she is sick or hibernating. It is snowing here, and she is right by the window so she can see that it looks different outside. Her water is always at a constant temperature, 76 degrees. Please help, I don't see any other signs of sickness, just her odd behavior.

[Evelyn]

Hi,
This hibernation thing has me puzzled to.
How old is your turtle ?
My two turtle has been doing the same thing for quit a few years, they eat and eat like it was their last meal. Over the last month they eat every few days. So I don't ofter any food for about four days. I think they do go into a hiberbanation state. We feed them well probably to much so they build up body fat for hibernate. I have had them not eat for two weeks. They have to use up their body fat, I know mine are FAT. My male was bagging for food last night but he did eat it. In the spring and summer my turtle want out of the tank and I have had them climb out. When they get like that I just take them out and let them walk around. I think turtle do what comes natuarl to them. We change their natural way of living. Warm water and more light will not get rid of boby fat, let faces it they just can not fit any more food.
My young turtle is still eating but has stopped at times to. She is about 4 or 5 so I don't worry to much. They basking alot wail not eating.
Evelyn

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Your turtles shouldnt be hibernating,it is dangerous and not recommended.If your water temperature is in the 70's (78 for babys) (72-75 for adults) then there is no reason your turtles should be hibernating.

Jelslider,if your water is at a constant temperature and your turtle is acting sluggish and strange,maybe you should take your turtle to a vet ASAP.

[JELslider]

I will if it comes to that... I just want to be sure, last time I took her to the vet there was nothing wrong with her and I just overreacted!

But a couple of people seem to be noticing similar behavior in their turtles... I don't know what to think... she still eats, she just doesn't like the sticks... she just doesn't get as excited anymore...sluggish. Can turtles get bored?

[marisa]

I think they can. Have you tried different pellets? If it's a choice between pellets and shrimp, most turtle will choose the shrimp. If your turtle is eating shrimp as eagerly as you imply, perhaps you should stop the shrimp for a while until he's eating pellets. Maybe he won't eat the pellets because he's waiting for the shrimp. How much do you give? Are you giving him the shrimp if he won't eat his pellets?

What are your water and basking area temps?

[mackadocious]

not saying there's nothing wrong with your turtles or anyone else's, but mine eat A LOT less every winter and i've had them for 4 or 5 years now....they're big, healthy, right set up--other than the tank could be bigger--and when i talked to the vet about it (a herp) he thought it was totally normal.....they still swim, bask, etc, just less than in the spring and summer......

before you take your turtle, you could also try calling the vet to see if he/she thinks it's necessary to make the trip down....some veternarians are more conservative than others and i definitely lean towards the more conservative ones for all my pets--all of them will give me advice over the phone if they think it's appropriate; if not they tell me to come in and i never feel like it's a waste of time when i do....

[JELslider]

She usually does eat the pellets, that is why I grew concerned when she stopped.

I will just call our vet to see if he thinks it is neccessary. But if most people notice differences in their turtles eating habits during the winter then I will take that into consideration too. Like I said she doesn't look sick, just less active and not hungry.

[SpotsMama]

My turtle's behavior hasn't changed noticably. Of course, I'm in Texas where it doesn't get as cold but we definitely have seasons.

This is just me - but if I noticed a change in behavior that I was uncomfortable with, especially if it were a "negative" kind (less active, less appetite), I'd check with a vet.

[JELslider]

Weird thing... Cortez, my turlte, is back to normal. She is swimming around, actively looking arond the room when people come in... I don't know what was ever wrong with her. But she seems fine now....maybe her stomache was upset cause I found alot of poop in the tank today.