Why aren't my Red Eared Sliders eating?

Question

I've had them for about 3 weeks now and I don't think they've eaten since I've gotten them. I have a male and a female one and a half inch hatchlings, I believe, and I even bought them multivitimans to add to their commercial pellet food (Nurrafin). What am I doing wrong? Here's the enviroment I have them in right now:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/Wizard_and_I/0718072149.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g38/Wizard_and_I/0718072150.jpg

Is there anything wrong with it?

Answer 1

Where did you get them from? I didn't think that it was legal to sell turtles less than 4 inches... Anyway, the number one reason that reptiles will not eat is due to the temperature being too low. As they are cold-blooded, their metabolism slows down when the temp is lower. The air temp should be between 77-86 degrees F and the water temp should be around 77 degrees F.

Answer 2

Very nice environment! I prefer some substrate myself--I use play sand and never had them "choke" or eat it, they would pick it up and spit it out. But they like to scratch around and dig in it as they search for food and investigate. I have read on Turtle web sites that we shouldn't worry if they don't eat for a week or two, as that happens some times, however I myself never experienced that. Mine were like little Crocodiles! Get some fresh Salmon for people, slice it bite size for them, drop that in front of them and they will eat or they are sick. Freeze the fillet and slice what you need each day, increase water changes as Salmon is oily. Give them fresh fruit bite size, grapes, strawberries, remove what is not eat ten. Also feed Romain lettuce, Reptomin is a very well excepted dry food for turtles, break it in little pieces to fit their bite. Use a water conditioner in the water changes to remove chlorine if you don't have Well water. That's about it, good luck!

Answer 3

I raise turtles also. I have one now that I have had for about 3 yrs. The environment is just fine. They are turtles and need lots of water to swim. What kind of food did you buy. I have to buy the turtle food that says for baby turtles. The other food is too big for them. Fish will probably be too big also. Try going to your local pet store and buying some green plants they love them. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I have a RES... and he is very picky! since they are so young, they enjoy chimping on meat, I would suggest buying dry shrimp and krill to add in with turtle pellets.. they make them more appetizing.. make sure you are feeding them like goldfish in the water. Sometimes it takes them a while to get used to their environment. you might wasnt to give them live minnows too

Answer 5

try feeding small live feeder fish from the pet store or small crickets i dont feed a lot of commercial food they are mostly carnivous when young anyway. you can try earthworms meal worms and tadpoles but remember everything must ba bite sized

Answer 6

they need more land and less water try feeding them somthing elts contact how u bought them from and ask what they where feeding them. if u have any more qustoins e mail me at
[e-mail]

Answer 7

Im sorry but i think ur turtle is sick or it might not want to eat

Answer 8

they might be sick i dont see anything wrong in the tank but most baby turtles do that.

Answer 9

Please go to http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm

for complete care and feeding advice. Many different needs must be met in order for them to survive and grow.

Answer 10

they dont like you and they are protesting being with you. its best to set them free.