What do you do if your box turle is not eating?

Question

I offer him the correct foods, but he won't eat. How can I get him to eat?

Answer 1

Box turtles are gluttons if given a chance and the right habitat- but we sometimes mess up on the habitat.

Box turtle basics include:
- Big pens. A single adult box turtle would like a 4'x4' pen
- Warmth. Unless you plan to hibernate it (not advised in most cases), the pen should be 80 or so. It can be a bit cooler at night. NOTE: If it has started to act like it is hibernating and you plan on keeping it up, you have to do a 'super summer' bit and boost the temps a bit- 85 or so.) Be sure there are cooler, shady hiding places as well.
- Humidity. This is tough, but Eastern and related boxies like lots of humidty- 70+%! Dry air is a big reason for them not eating. Ornates (or Western box) prefer low humidity.
- Lighting. Offer sunlight-like lighting that includes some UV-B rays- this is critical to long-term health and really helps diet. Aim for 8-10 hour days, more like 10 if you are trying to jump-start the appetite.

Diet is a seperate issue. What are you thinking are "the correct foods"? In the wild, these guys eat 75% bugs and such, and forage over a lot of different things for the other 25%.

In captivity, we'd usually prefer to see a diet composed of about 1/3rd bugs, insects, worms, snails, etc. 1/3rd other low-fat proteins like chicken, fish, hard-boiled eggs (and shells), good quality dog foods, brown bread, etc. and 1/3rd 'salad'- but no light-green head lettuce. The salad can combine grasses, hays, yard plants, edible flowers, most veggies (lightly cook hard things), most fruits, berries, mushrooms, etc.

A sprinkle each of good vitamins (with B13) and calcium supplement finish off the meal.

Amazingly, many books and articles on boxies ignore the wild diet and tell you to use a diet that is WAY to heavy in plants. This is fine for a while, but boxies will not thrive on it.

Answer 2

there are several reasons he is not eating. It is time for them to hibernate. Not all turtles hibernate alot depends on the turtle and the care it has gotten. The turtle could also be sick. There is not enough information to give a direct answer here

Answer 3

Are you feeding him earthworms? That's what worked for my turtle when she wasn't eating. Now she eats at least one worm a day.

Answer 4

It may just be time for him to go to sleep for the winter.

Answer 5

take it to the vet and theyll tell u whats wrong

Answer 6

he could be trying to hibernate, just leave him alone and wait until he is active again

Answer 7

Luke b is right that thing is **** in dead u retard

Answer 8

he's fu ckin dead dog.