How long w/o food for baby turtles?

Question

I just got two baby res a week ago that are a little over an inch. I've had baby res before, but I'm in college for now so it's taking awhile to get my tank set up. So right now their water is not heated and it'll be a few more days until it is. The problem is that they both refuse to eat, even when I leave them in heated water for awhile (an hour or two). Since I can't keep their whole tank heated and I can't leave them in a tiny container for very long (and I don't like moving them around if they're not eating anyway) I don't know what to do. I read that turtles can live for months without eating, but I don't think that applies to babies, and it's only when they hibernate anyway. Any feedback would be appriciated, I really don't know what to do. Oh, and I'm feeding them (or trying) pellets and freeze dried krill, which my last turtles LOVED.

Answer 1

try to put lettuce in the tank or try to cut the pellets in half
GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

You've got a few problems going on at once.

Your habitat is far too cool, and switching them between habitats is both stressfull and a great way to induce respiratory illnesses.

Babies should eat daily. Sure- a HEALTHY baby can go a couple weeks without eating- but this is by no means a healthy situation.

They are trying to hibernate because the temps are dropping and the light cycle is shortening. That, the stress, and the cool temps are driving them off their feed.

If you can't get them a good habitat in a couple days, consider getting them to a pet-sitter before they die on you.

Once you get the habitat set up, you'll have to a few things to help them get healthy again:
- boost temps from the usual 75-80 to 80-85
- keep tank extremely clean
- minimize stress and handling
- offer good lighting, with UV, for about 10-12 hours a day

Unless you are PLANNING on hibernating them- a tough thing to do if you don't have practice.

Answer 3

The turtles are probably stressed. Considering their size, they may die. This is by no means uncommon. (I raise Red eared sliders myself. Of the last 60 or so that hatched, about 50 have lived.) Any time you move a turtle, especially a baby, then it gets stress. sometimes to the point where they will die. Don't feel bad. It happens.

Try putting them in a tub of water that is about 90 degrees. It's not hot enough to hurt them and will make them particularly active. The more active they are, the more they will see food as a necessity.

And only desert turtles can live months without eating. Water turtles must eat regularly because of the constant motion of swimming. Just a warning though, When a turtle decides it's not going to eat, it won't. In hatchlings, this is often fatal. All you can do is manipulate their water temp.

Answer 4

Try freeze dried Tubifex worms.I took in two res's and the smaller stopped eating about week after I got them and died about a month later,...but the other one is doing great eating tubifex worms primarily and live blood worms about once or twice a week. Tear the tubifex worms in small pieces. I also have feeder fish in the tank to eat the smaller pieces, and for the turtle if he can catch them. So far the fish have been safe and they seem to groom him of shedding skin. Good Luck.

Answer 5

just make sure you keep food supplied. it may be that they are not use to their enviroment and not eating. i have always had problems getting to turtles to eat the first week or two, then they seem to come around. try a small piece of meat. not too much. maybe they will nip at it.

Answer 6

some turtles will refuse to eat in an envoirment they do not like and they only eat in the water. the water may be too hot also. put them in the bigger tank.

Answer 7

if they have gotten chilled they may be wanting to hibernate so putting them into warm water isnt helping
go ahead and get their tank set up and the temp adjusted like you want it
then go get some earthworms to feed them, they cant resist wiggly worms