i got it from the wild but ive been takin care of it for about a week ive tried every thing to feed it but it still wont eat and it is still alive
2007-06-10 08:19:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Turtles can go weeks without eating and be healthy. We as mammals needs food for heat. Turtles only need food for growth and heat they get from the environment.
The question is how long you want to keep this wild turtle. If you're committed to 30-40 years and be willing to provide a 100 gallon enclosure (tank or pond) when it is 8-10" long, then go for it. RES are very cool, but long lived, large and expensive. Or you can keep it for a few weeks and return it to the wild. It will survive in the wild without a problem.
Try feeding bits of worm, fish, chicken or shrimp. These are sure fire ways to get it to eat, but not the healthiest. Drop in some dandelion leaves (very nutritious) and water plants from your pond nearby. You can try feeding it some fish pellets or flakes.
You must provide a basking area, lkie rock or log, so it can come out to dry off. You'll need a basking light (60-75 watt tabel lamp). A filter is nice, but since it is small you can change the water every few days.
Check out these resources:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm
http://www.turtleforum.com
2007-06-10 08:41:48 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. Turtles can routinely skip a week without food with no ill harm.
2. Turtles under stress because of changes often stop eating for about a week.
3. Being captured and put into a cage REALLY stresses turtles. Wild-caught turtles generally do not do well in captivity.
4. To get it to eat well, you need to offer it a really nice habitat. This would include at least 10 gallons of water per inch of turtle shell length, heated to 75-80F, filtered well. The lighting should include UVB rays and heat the basking site to about 90F.
5. It is important to offer the right diet as well. About 1/2 good pellets, and about 1/2 good fresh or frozen/thawed 'fish food' like worms, shrimp, krill, insects, etc.
You can learn more about the care of this species at http://www.redearslider.com
2007-06-10 16:24:42 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be certain that they've a basking spot as good because the correct lighting fixtures. Sun isn't sufficient! Google the proper bulbs, you're going to must spend plenty of cash to get the correct ones. One buld is referred to as a blue sunlight bulb, the opposite is flourescant. Again, solar just isn't sufficient. Small RES want gentle essentially the most for shell progress.
2016-09-05 11:36:14 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Release it back to the wild
2007-06-10 08:37:36 · answer #4 · answered by kat 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
LET IT GO YOUR NOT SUPOSED TO KEEP THEM !
I KNOW IN SC YOU CAN GET IN ALOT OF TROUBLE FOR KEEPING THEM!
2007-06-10 10:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by ma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it probaly hasnt eaten when you are looking
2007-06-10 08:26:19 · answer #6 · answered by pitapat_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋