Please, I need some help about my pet turtle, urgent?

Question

It's like this, I've had the little red eared slider for 3 days, now. I dunno the gender, but that's not so important right now. It is now living in that small tank you get at the pet store. Since tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, I wont be at home, we will get him a new tank in 3 days. I still have to buy a UV lamp, but now it is under a regular lamp, and my house is REALLY warm, so it's not cold. I tried giving it food, but it doesn't even look at it. I dunno if he/she even knows that those little dry flys are supposed to be food. I am scared. I mean, 3 days without eating? He is really active and is trying to get out all the time. Please help me, I am soo worried
I hope this is enough info for your help, thanx

Answer 1

I have a little red eared slider also and have had him for over a year, actually it is suppose to belong to my two boys but well I sort of got the job of looking out for the little guy, anyway this is what I did, I went to the pet store, and spoke to the guy about turtles, and this is what he had me do, I had timothy in one of those little cages you get for like a gold fish or a tarantula and I knew that he needed to be in a bigger tank so I got him a 10 gallon tank at wal-mart it was like 10.00 dollars I bought a few things to put in his tank so he could set on logs and things if he chooses to come out of the water, and about the lamp the guy at the pet store said the lights from the aquarium should keep him warm enough, but not to leave it on all of the time, he even stated that I should have timothy near a window for sunlight he said the sunlight helps his shell to keep from getting soft, and he had me to get some reptile premium sticks, and to drop about four or five into the water, but do not over feed him, and he also said that turtles are okay if they are by themselves, and that other than keeping the water regulated, and clean, and keeping him feed he should be alright. I know when my husband brought poor little Timothy home he didn't look to good, for he was rescued from an abandoned apartment he had been left behind in a little bowl, and timothy didn't eat for a few days either, plus I think he needed to get used to his new surroundings first, but it has been over a year now and he is one growing fat turtle so your turtle should be alright, if your unsure check with your local pet store, I bet they will be able to help you good luck with your turtle.

Answer 2

I answered this for you at allexperts.com as well, but-

1. 3 days is nothing. Turtles often go a week after a stressful change without eating.

2. Dry flies are not turtle food, and any pet shop that tells you they are should be ignored on all other things as well. (After all, if the turtle is under 4" long, they violated a federal regulation in selling it.)

3. You should review a good care site like http://www.redearslider.com for diet, housing, and general cares.

Answer 3

Your turtle can go for a long time without eating. He will eat when he gets hungry. A few days without the uv lamp will be fine. Try putting small gold fish in his water. Most of my turtles have prefered live food. If you are squeemish, don't watch him eat. Good luck, turtles can make great pets.

Answer 4

stating the obvious first...you should have had a proper set up before you brought him home....please do your homework as far as housing goes as it can mean the difference between life and death for the turtle.

you don't say how old or big your turtle is so the food situation is difficult as it depends on age of the turtle. their food changes as they mature.Please research their feeding requirements. My RES is very old and I have tried many things over the years as far as food. Never had any luck with dried flies(he likes them moving in his water) and he only eats turtle pellets when really hungry. I'm guessing your turtle is stressed...think about it...he's been yanked out of yet another living environment and is now in one that is less than supportive for his health. Please speed up the process of providing him with an appropriate living space and above all research his needs.

Answer 5

Wild Caught and traumatized. All you can do is wait, hopefully he will accliamate to his prison/cell-like surroundings and take a few minnows eventually. In the mean time, may I ask why you bought a turtle before you had the proper enclosure and right befor eyou go out of town? Please maek sure you read up on the care of these guys and buy a proper (55gal +) enclosure for him/her. Try live food, wax worms, crickets, meal worms, butterworms, tomato/silk worms etc.
VARIETY is very important!
Good luck to both of you!

Answer 6

i have just gotten recently as a baby and found out later it was illegally sold, but nvm that hes doing fine now. my turtle didnt eat untill he got used to his encloser and new i was giving him food. try giving him/her very small mealworms/crickets mine ate about a week l8r so dont worry they are very hardy and great pets best wishes if u have another question just post another commit! GOOD LUCK :):):)

Answer 7

This is not a "sea turtle" as they are illegal to have. Most reptile diseases are not zoontic, except for salmonellae spp. which is transferred to humans by not washing your hands after touching a reptile. Reptiles are masters at disguising sickness as to not become a victim in the wild. Please get it to a vet ASAP.

Answer 8

No light is better than a regular light. They need that UV light to help metabolize their food and he's not getting it.

Answer 9

ive known peole whos turtle dosent eat for months..but they might now be eating because they need there water to be like 89 degrees..dont worry though as soon as you get them all they need..they be fine.