a few questions about turtles?

Question

Okay...my girls recently recieved a pet turtle from their grandmother. I keep finding it asleep underneath the water and it's being kindof sluggish. Are they really supposed to sleep underwater? I'm constantly freaking out thinking it's dead. Also, it doesn't seem to eat a whole lot. Does anyone know about how much and how often turtles eat?

okay...the turtle does have both a land space for basking and a water area for swimming. We have a underwater heater and filter.

Answer 1

yeah, the water may be too cold for the guy so he's slow as a result. water should be lukewarm, around 80-90 degrees. then they can eat and digest food well. too hot is bad for them tho, so don't go overboard. also with food, they eat turtle pellets, but sometimes are very stubborn. i feed supplement my turtles' diets with chicken or beef (tiny bits) and they like to eat worms and bugs of you don't mind catching them. do they have a good place to get out of the water and bask under a hot UV light? that's important for their health, digestion, and absorption of vitamins through their shells.

also baby turtles should eat twice a day, and adults once every day or so. don't worry if they dont eat much - but look in their shells by their arms and legs. if the body is spilling out they are overweight, if it's receded into the shell they are underweight. their fleshy body bits shoudl be pretty much even with the edge of the shell.

Answer 2

Turtles are hard to care for properly and not great pets for most children. They need special lighting heat water filtration and a place to get out of the water completely to bask. They also need a very large space. Here is a great turtle care site. http://www.austinsturtlepage.com Click on care sheets and find the type of turtle you have and set up the enclosure the way it's explained. If anything is not right in the cage the turtle will not survive.

Answer 3

You need to do some research on the care of what kind of turtle you have. They require special care more than you would think. Do a google search or check out a library or pet store for books. ALSO!!! turtles carry salmonella so washing your hands well after handling is very important. Hurry and find out what you need before you let the poor thing die!!!!!

Answer 4

1. Turtles sleep underwater- don't worry! ;-)

2. Turtles are pretty sluggish animals most of the time.

3. Some really good sites for good care info, diet info, etc. are:

Answer 5

Yea its notmal for them to sleep under water [well mine always did] you could be feeding it too much. if its an older turtle you dont need to feed it everyday. the water could be cold [causing it to be sluggish] or it could be sick. and since its a new turtle it could also be stressed. give ti a few days and see what happens it has to get used to its surroundings. [it took my baby turtle a week to finally eat] and try giving it other foods like guppies.

Answer 6

Turtles do sleep under water(just like mine). But mostly HATCHLINGS DO NOT eat turtle feed. they prefer lettuce, chopped lettuce.

Answer 7

turtles will purely strengthen as much as there atmosphere the bigger abode the bigger the turtle so in case you go with them to strengthen get them a much bigger abode. thats sturdy what your feeding them yet attempt to grant them worms and bugs too in case you go with i do. i on no account use lighting fixtures for mine yet you could it would be sturdy for them i on no account did use one at evening as quickly as I did have one wich grew to become into for a week. that is going to be positive yet while its incredibly undesirable carry them to a vet. verify they have been given land and water in any respect circumstances! thank you bye o and you will have faith in my info!

Answer 8

Here is an excellent website to consult:

http://www.sliderhome.nl/index.html

Answer 9

Hey, I was going to answer until I read BOB808. He knows his stuff. Go with it - he's right on target!