he wont eat regular turtle food is there anything i can do or anything else i could feed him
2006-12-28 18:24:26 · 11 answers · asked by kayla h 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
my red eared sider eats earth worms, chicken meat and fish (goldfish or guppies) they also eat lettuce such as romaine but since its a baby it probably wont eat leafs yet.. try these
2007-01-01 15:18:52 · answer #1 · answered by healedwounds31490 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. It IS illegal in the US for anyone to buy or sell turtles under 4", however the person who broke the law was the pet store.
2. Sadly, baby Red-ear sliders are a bit tough to care for. It takes a decent habitat to make them feel comfortable and safe, and to stimulate their appetite- which most pet shops don't tell you!
3. The eating bit is probably more due to habitat than the actual diet.
You see, turtles LOVE space, warmth, and sunshine. They also need cleanliness and a varied diet.
Space- aim for at least 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle shell. Your baby should be in about a 1/2 filled 20 gallon tank, which you will fill to mostly full as it gets to 2" long, then shift to a bigger tank or plastic tub later on.
Warmth- water temps should be 75-80F, usually with a decent thermostatic heater. Heat basking sites to about 90F, usually with a heat lamp or something similar. Cold temps are a big reason for not eating.
Sun- this is a key issue for long, healthy life. Turtles need UV-B rays, which do not penetrate most glass or plastics so we need to provide them with specialty bulbs.
Cleanliness- if there is a 'turtle tank' smell, the water is way too dirty. Turtle tanks usually need 2-3 times the filtration power of a fish tank.
Varied diet- aim for a mix of about 25-50% good turtle pellets and the rest live or frozen/thawed 'fish foods' like small fish, shrimp, bugs, worms, beef heart, etc. Baby turtles usually love blood worms!
Try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com or http://www.redearslider.com for more ideas.
2006-12-29 03:29:26 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't have bout him. They're illegal in the state because they are suspected to transmit salmonella. Baby turtles eat a different diet than the adults. Adult sliders are purely vegetarian. Babies need to eat some meat. Probably small fish, insects and worms. They are still primarily vegetarians, but need some extra protein to grow. The turtle is probably scared and does not recognize your pellets as foods. Try giving it some elodea (Anarchis) Its the most common plant in the aquarium. Even adult turtles should be given some since it is high in calcium. Ask the person who you got it from what he has been feeding it. Chances are the turtle will die, because it is too young to be taken from nature.
2006-12-28 18:40:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you do not have a basking spot for the turtle to get warm you SHOULD NOT feed it during this time of the year. Eating anything could cause the food to rot inside of the turtle and it may kill it. If you have been feeding it when it was cold, then you need to apply a basking spot for the turtle for one week. Do not feed the turtle during the week unless you plan to keep the basking spot on all winter. If too cold of temps is not the problem then you need to seek a vet ASAP.
2016-03-28 23:20:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... This is a toughy.
I'm not the turtle expert, but maybe he is stressed. Check the water and basking temperature. Did you just find him in a pond? How big is the cage? Maybe you should change the turtle food.
Just don't force feed. That makes it stressfull on the turtle.
2006-12-28 18:30:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a baby red ear slider too and i had the same problem... i had been feeding him tetra fauna "reptotreat gammarus" which seemed like the only thing he would eat so i went to petco and asked what would be a good food to feed him and seemed i was right all along... i highly suggest feeding him this food its small and baby res really seem to enjoy it...
2006-12-29 05:32:42 · answer #6 · answered by Tracey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok I am about to get a red ear slider too there is this great site that can give you all the answers it is www.austinsturtlepage.com.
2006-12-29 06:10:40 · answer #7 · answered by Tuna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you bought him at a pet store you might want to try a different food. if you found him from the wild small bugs would be good. wild animals aren't used to food like that. If you bought him you might want to go to where u got him and ask what they fed him. give him something he is used to.
2006-12-28 20:16:03 · answer #8 · answered by catieann 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well...
u can feed it coriander leaves..try putting them..i guess it will eat that..even my baby turtle dint eat the turtle food..and u can also feed it with wat u call in gujarati 'mamra'..and if u have a fish tank then try putting fish food..those small balls..the baby turtle will eat that..n by the way how old is ur baby turtle..mine was 2 months old wen i bot it..
2006-12-28 19:44:07 · answer #9 · answered by demondivyesh 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could try and feed "him" cut up worms, small pieces of apples, and other little things.
2006-12-29 12:37:06 · answer #10 · answered by bertossimichelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋