i have a red eared slider turtle, he acts really weird. He eat his faeces, he doesn't eat any vegaetables, he

Question

eats small pebbles, the fish food the long orange kind. He likes sleeping under a pillow, like we we sing to him. When we ignore him or leave to go out when we come his tank is in a mess he kicks and scratches up everything. He like to stretch out his limbs and head and float in the water. He is always trying 2 get away. Lately he has started kickin and snapping violently and nothing under the water Can he recognise his name. I heard that u can tell the male from the female by it,s length of claws how long 4 a male. Is a turtle supposed 2 behave like this thanx.

Answer 1

Eating feces is normal behavior, but it often means something is missing in it's diet...or it's digestive tract. Often reptiles will eat feces to replace the microflora (a bacteria) needed to help digest food. It will keep eating it if it does not get replaced what it needs...the microflora. The microflora in it's hind gut is essential for proper digestion...these can be added back into the diet with one of three choices of probiotic.
1. Nutribac - specifically for herps
2. Benebac - Made for birds - approved for reptiles
3. Nature Zone Essential Probiotics - specifically for reptiles
Follow the instructions for administering. I usually sprinkle it into the salads.

If I were you...I would replace the pebbles (I'm assuming aquarium pebbles) with river rock. They're big enough that the turtle cannot eat them and cause intestinal impaction which can led to death. This makes me wonder if this is why your turtle is getting aggressive. If he is impacted...he will be in a lot of pain. Animals is pain with often act out aggressively. To find out you need a vet who knows herps and get him/her to do an x-ray.

Males:
Longer front claws
longer tail
Concaved carapace

Females:
Shorter claws
Short tail
Flat or slightly rounds carapace

Look in the links below for the closest vet to you. Be prepared to travel a distance to find one. Mine is 73 miles away.

Answer 2

1. Red-ears DO NOT eat veggies (ADULT red-ears eat SOME veggies as part of their diet- usually dark leafy greens)

2. Messing up his tank- the tank is probably too small and set-up wrong. A turtle tank should be at least 10 gallons of water heated to between 75-80 and well-filtered.

3. Trying to get away- he is scared of humans, and rightfully so. That is perfectly natural.

4. Recognize name? They can't hear anything, but can feel vibrations. He will recognize you by sight as a food source, but not his own name.

5. Sex- males have LONG front claws, and a long, thin tail- but you can't tell any of this until it hits about 4"\



I think you need to read a good book on turtle care. Try these sites for help:
http://www.redearslider.com
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 3

Make sure your turtle isn't eating it all the time. If it continues it may get a life treatenbing instesnal blockage.

You can tell the difference between male and female turtles by their tales. The male is longer and the female's is stubier.

Where he is stretching.. is it under the heat lamp. If so it mgith be sun bathing

Hope he's okay :)

Answer 4

I have a turtle and he never acts like this. My turtle does eat his faeces, but thats what they do... I think your turtle has some problems. Getting rid of a pet is hard, but think about giving him to a friend. If the friend says he is doing the same thing, send him to a pet store. They wont sell him, but they will take care of him. I'm sorry to say this, but maybe he doesnt like you...

Answer 5

i have a red eared slider. they are a little strange but it sounds like it is bored. give it some logs to climb on, plants to eat (use real plants fake plants clot their small intestines), give it feeder guppies to eat or chase around the tank, or you can get him a friend (but you might need a bigger tank).