Red-Eared Slider, vision problem?

Question

I have a 6 months old Red-Eared Slider.
She seems to be healthy. Her eyes, eating, swimming, breathing, basking, etc. are fine. But the only thing that makes me worry is that she can not hunt her food floating in the water. I put her food in a glass which is in the tank. So the foods don’t float and she can eat them. But with out that glass it takes 2-3 hours for her to eat her food. It seems like she can not recognize the distance or the right position of things. She keeps on trying to eat with out that glass during she is hungry. But it makes her tired.
Maybe I’m supposed to let her practice hunting. Maybe she has become lazy, or maybe there is a problem with her vision.
Anybody know anything about this?

sure I put the food in the water. the glass I put the food inside is in the water. but she can not hunt the floating food. I mean when I don't put it in the glass and the food floats in the tank.

Answer 1

Yes they can have vision problems, that doesnt mean they have an infection, if their eyes are clear and there are no obvious defects then i would say it is probably far-sighted. I have a Western painted turtle that is the same way. It was a rescue, tail bit off, quite a bit of shell damage, but has been with me over a year now and doing fine, but it takes her forever to eat. You can even hand feed her and it will take up to 15 attempts to grab its food out of your fingers right in front of it. But dont feel bad, your not the only one that has a blind turtle.

Answer 2

Red eared sliders only eat when in the water so if you are putting it on the basking tray then she wont eat it. I have 2 ear eared sliders and i ussually give them pellets that float twice a day and they come running as soon as they see them. I just recently got them some minows to see how they like that. But if your not putting it in the water then it could ber her vision.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I am trying to figure out what you mean by the glass bit.

What are you feeding her? Turtles generally do not like floating food- they hunt things in the water and near the bottom.

Try a diet like the one suggested here: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/care.htm

Other common problems include cold water (aim for 75-80F), or soiled water (they hunt partially by scent, so soiled water makes it hard).

Answer 5

Have you tried Vision Without Glasses method? Move right here : http://Get.ClearVisionExercise.com . This can surely teach people!

Answer 6

check temperature [75-80 degress]..or try feeding it carrots. it said that its good for the eyes...hehe.