One of my turtles has stopped eating about two weeks ago. This was after we had them out of the tank and put them back in. He was swimming around as if he wanted to get out. Could he be trying to hibernate (the tank is heated).
Why has he stopped eating and is there any way that I can get him to start eating again? I feel that his health may be in danger and he could die.
2006-06-29 22:50:14 · 8 answers · asked by ausdude159 5 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
There are lots of reasons herps stop eating, and while it is good to take them to the vet, you don't have to jump just yet. What is the temperature in the tank? What is his normal eating patterns? What do you feed him? Have you tried offering him other things? What's his personaliy like, is he skittish? Is it possible that he suffered some sort of trauma when out of the tank, swallowed something? What I would do if I were you is give him another week. Make his tank absolutely idea and very private. Offer him food at least once a day. If no improvements by then, take him to a vet that specializes in herp care
2006-06-29 23:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by ethical_atheist 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am thinking this is either a Red-ear slider or a Painted turtle. In either case, the basic issues are the same.
Check your basic cares. Is the tank big enough? Clean enough? The right temperature (it may even be too warm)? Good lighting? Good basking? Is the diet OK?
Turtles DO try to hibernate, but in the fall when light cycles and temps trigger the reflex. It is unlikely you triggered this. Hibernation behavior is a slowing down and lethargy.
A turtle scrambling to get out may well be too warm (or too cool). Check your tank temps for about 80 degrees F.
Turtles can go a while without food. As long as it is otherwise healthy, this is not the end of the world. A healthy turtle would feel heavy for its size, struiggle when picked up, be defecating OK, etc.
The links below might help as well:
2006-06-30 03:35:38 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two suggestions: Make the proper lighting available and feed small piece of boiled shrimp.
It would be odd to go into hibernation at this time of the year but without proper lighting (and heat which you indicate you are providing) I guess it is a possibility.
Enter the species of turtle into google for more help.
2006-06-30 04:16:32 · answer #3 · answered by Kasha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would take your turtle to the Vet. I know that animals stop eating when they are sick and they also like to hide when they are sick. If you just let him starve, he will obviously end up dying.
2006-06-29 22:57:45 · answer #4 · answered by laurkenluv 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the water clean, temp around 86 degrees (too warm will paralyze it), and baby it with pieces of popcorn shrimp.
2006-06-30 21:12:20 · answer #5 · answered by whatshisface 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want to ask the same question as the person above.
2016-08-20 05:43:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him to a vet fast silly,
2006-06-29 22:53:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mite be pregnet
2006-07-05 13:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋