My turtle is a red eared slider. I have fed them for about 4-6 times a day. I feed them fish and pellets. I think they are getting fat. If they grow fat would their shell bigger or would it break? I don't want my turtles to die... :(
2006-06-25 09:40:26 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
When the turtle tucks its limbs in and it has fat bulging out, then it is too fat. You should be feeding no more than three times a week of pellets. And the other days feed it leafy greens. It may take some time, but it will eat greens.
Overfeeding causes obesity and strain on the systems (renal, liver, etc.). Obese turtles live a shorter life. hey also get lumpy shells, also known as pyramiding, which is ugly and a sad sight.
Do not follow what is on the food bottle... they are suggesting you to overfeed it. Turtles are scavengers and do not need food to produce heat, like mammals do. So, to feed them everyday is sentencing them to a slow death. Three times a week and included leafy greens as well.
One more thing... turtles are bottomless pitts and they beg and beg. Do not think they are hungry. My big turtles (12" plus) can eat a whole can if I let it.
You need to provide more leafy greens like dandelion (high in calcium:phosporus ratio), as well romaine and other salad greens. Dandelions are the best along with other aquatic plants (water lettuce, watter hyacynth, anacharis, any thing you can buy at a pond/aquarium shop).
I have rescued, kept and bred mroe than 75 turtles and tortoises and seen many poorly kept turtles. Please cut back or else your turtle is destined to have a shorter life.
Cheers
2006-06-25 15:04:20 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If they have trouble pulling into their shells, then they are overweight. Cut down on the feeding schedule and check out http://www.kingsnake.com for good care sheets for your turtles. Good luck.
2006-06-25 16:46:19 · answer #2 · answered by thewildeman2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the turtle gets fat
2006-06-25 21:14:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
try putting them in the thread mill for some daily exercise.
lol
sorry i know you care about your turtles - it was just a joke
2006-06-25 16:57:49 · answer #4 · answered by cvy2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cut back to once every 3rd day, then after they lose enough weight, once a day is all thats needed even if they beg like crazy.
2006-06-25 21:33:25 · answer #5 · answered by whatshisface 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
R U serious well i guess when he cani;nt get his head out of his shell daaaaaaa
2006-06-25 16:44:07 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ask the vet
2006-07-01 06:27:10 · answer #7 · answered by ioana m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋