I highly recommend investing in a feeding needle/tube and at least a 12 cc syringe.

Right now, Dr. Fosters and Smith have feeding needles on sale. I am also a huge fan of Nekton reptile vitamins that can also be found there.

My youngest box turtle escaped and was found 3 months later in the garage and weighed practically nothing. Felt like a hollow shell. I let her finish out hibernation in the house and waited to hear her moving around.

Once she was I offered a huge variety of food to no avail, she wanted nothing to do with it. Sunken eyes, hollow feeling shell, listless, no leg strength...on deaths doorstep you'd think.

Out comes the feeding tube and baby food w/Nekton. Took about a week of daily belly fulls to convince her that she wanted to eat.

Now she eats like a pig and runs all over the place, quite a character.

Getting the mouth open isn't easy but with persistence and patience, it can be done. Slide the tube down the side of the mouth and all the way in. Food goes right to the belly. Leave a little in the mouth when removing the tube to remind them how good food tastes.

Don't ever be discouraged and think it is over.

Here's a picture of my boys and girls before they go out to the garden. As you can tell, I'm doing something right...




and my Houdini turtle. Notice the green eyes???? In person they are a very vibrant green. All the others have you standard boxie eye colors.







Dr. Fosters & Smith Feeding Needle

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