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This little fellow below started to hatch yesterday and is still in the process of leaving the egg.

This is another hatchling from your easterns Ric. I also have a question for you. My other hatchling that hatched back in April is not eating. I have offered it chopped up worms, fruits, vegetables, reptomin and even a little dog food but it seems to be not interested in any of them. Have you ever had this problem with any of your hatchlings and do you have any suggestions? It is very frustrating!

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Patrick

I hope you don't mind me replying. I know you were asking Ric.

I have personally had a lot of "trouble" with this. I'm sure that anyone who has raised hatchling box turtles has dealt with this. It is very frustrating, and very upsetting sometimes. I won't go through husbandry because I've seen you on this board for a while now, and I'm sure that you've read some or all of the hatchling care posts that have been written about proper temp., humidity, lighting, security, and all of the things necessary to make a hatchling feel secure and healthy enough to feed. All I can tell you is to keep at it. Offer worms of all sizes. Offer them in low light, medium light, bright light, in shallow water, in leaves, in moss, in pine needles. Also try to offer small slugs, mealworms, waxworms, and pillbugs. One new item that has really made a difference for me...PHOENIX WORMS! These things are like little wiggly turtle crack! Good luck!

i would also suggest trying some Phoenix Worms. for whatever reason they send my baby turtles, especially the picky one, into a frenzy. i've found that pillbugs and sowbugs are also a really good jump starter for hatchlings.

It's been my experience that most hatchlings respond best to moving food: small live worms, pill bugs, small snails and slugs, crickets, etc.
Some hatchlings can be very timid about eating, too, and benefit from feeling safe/hidden from view: sometimes all it takes to achieve this is have the turtle face away from you, and to drop the food in front of it.

>> and benefit from feeling safe/hidden from view: sometimes all it takes to achieve this is have the turtle face away from you, and to drop the food in front of it.

That right there often works for timid adults as well.
I've noticed too that they tend to eat only in certain places.
They seem to think of a particular area as the feeding area & if offered food elsewhere they'll refuse it. I leave food where they think it's supposed to be then walk away where they can't see me, then they'll eat.

Great picture too, thanks for posting it.
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PHRatz

"This is another hatchling from your easterns Ric. I also have a question for you. My other hatchling that hatched back in April is not eating. I have offered it chopped up worms, fruits, vegetables, reptomin and even a little dog food but it seems to be not interested in any of them. Have you ever had this problem with any of your hatchlings and do you have any suggestions? It is very frustrating! "

I missed your post; I was on the road for about a week. Nice pic and glad to hear of your hatchling success. As for the problem at hand....

Collect or obtain very small garden worms 2-3 inches in length. Place the hatchling in a small container that has all sides visually blocked up to a height of 10 inches. Do not place a hide or any debris in this feeding setup. Fill the area with water that is warm (86-88 degrees) up to a depth of 3/4 of an inch to one inch. Rinse the garden worms with cool water; and keep them in that cool water for a few minutes. Make sure you have good lighting. An incandescent lamp with 40 watts 18 inches away from the feeding spot is good. Place your hatchling in the area mentioned above. Take one of the small worms out and cut it with small scizzors or exacto blade in lengths 1/8 inch and under. Place a few pieces quickly in front of the hatchling and leave the area. Make sure it's quiet and no shadows cross over the hatchling at this time. In ten minutes check back.. If he has fed then give him a few move tiny pieces. Continue for a week, then try alternate foods. I have also used maggots from a variety of flies including the fruit fly larve (drosophilia), and phoenix worms (larve from the Soldier Fly) Let us know what works best for the little guy!

Good Luck,
Ric

Thanks Ric and everyone for your suggestions. I will try what you mentioned and keep trying live and non live foods. Hopefully it will eat soon!
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Patrick