I have two terrapins, (yellow belly) and one is eating well, but the other doen't want to eat anything-why?

Answer 1

because he doesn't like Lancashire hotpot.that's why.

Answer 2

Some turtles are pickier than others... just liek people. If you provided more background info, I can give you a better answer.

How long have you had them?
Water temp and basking temp?
What type of food?
Is the turtle not eating lethargic and slow overall, or any other symptom?

BTW, turtles can go for weeks, months without eating. No eating is not a huge problem, but you need to find out why. Answer my questions, I can give you some more specific possibilities why it is not eating.

One more thing... is your terrapin, a yellow-belled slider (Trachemy scripta scripta). Check out the pictures on this link, scroll the left side for hatchling pics:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/world_of_turtles/Yellow-bellied_Sliders_-_Trachemys_scripta_scripta/index.html

Answer 3

Maybee the one that isn't eating has an eating disorder. try isolating the one that isnt eating and give him special high-calcium/protien food. that should make it want to eat a little more. also the other one might be eating all the food before the other one gets it. the only other thing i think could be a reason is have you checked male/female? the one not eating might be pregnant. I dont know much about terrapins but i do know this.

Answer 4

My turtle did that when I first got him, i got worried took him to the vet, tried 3 different foods. Found that it was just him settling in. try blood worm, they love it. Might be a good idea to split them up when you feed them though cause the other one could decide that because the other one isnt eating all the food is deemed for him and could snap at him. But more background would help in diagnosing the problem.

If you go to the vet at least you can check that both of them are in good health and make sure you have a good vet encase anything goes wrong.

Answer 5

Turtles stop eating for various reasons but in captive kept turtles the problem is usually inadequate care. In order to help you get your turtle eating there are several questions that need to be answered by you.

What size are your turtles?
How are you keeping them?
What are you keeping them in?
What is the water temperature?
What is the basking temperature?
What are you offering as food?
Are there any signs of illness such as puffy eyes, lack of activity, wheezing, open mouthed breathing?
Are there any signs of injury?
Are you feeding them together or apart?

Yellow Belly Sliders as well as other water turtles are usually opportunistic feeders and will eat a combination of vegetation and animal matter. Many people offer Reptomin feeding sticks and supplement with fish, worms, and vegetables. To entice a non-feeding turtle to eat the best way is to raise both the water and basking temps. The water temp should be above 75*F and the basking area between 85*F-90*F. If your turtle is exhibiting signs of illness then you should raise the basking area temp to 95*F.

If you do not have an area for your turtle to get out of the water and bask then you should create one. Turtles like to get out of the water and dry out and bask under a heat source that will both warm them and raise their metabolism to help digest food. You should also provide UVB lighting which helps your turtle proccess calcium for strong shell and bones.

For care sheets on sliders see the following sites:

http://www.turtletimes.com
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-yellowbelly.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/trachemyscare.htm

Answer 6

Your terrapin could desire to be settling in and so will by no ability be attracted to feeding. What temperature is it stored at? in case you have no longer any heating accessible for it or its no longer heat sufficient your turtle won't decide for to feed the two.

Answer 7

Have searched the web but cannot find anything. I suggest you 'phone your vet. If one is feeding well, it cannot be that you are giving it the wrong diet, so the one who is not feeding may be going down with something.

Answer 8

Try some live food. Maggots, (if you know an angler) worms, woodlice, flies. Mine used to love cod liver oil delivered through a dropper into her mouth. I'd give it to her when I thought she was getting peeky.

Answer 9

the one fish that is eating wont let the other fish eat by biting it or scaring it

happens all the time to me

i suggest you just separate them when you feed them

good luck, Briana

Answer 10

it probably is but at a differant time to the other.