Reptile & Amphibian Forums

concerned that the hatchling hasn't had anything to eat? He keeps buring himself under the moss. I don't know if he is getting ready to hibernate or if they even hibernate after they are hatched or in my case brought into this world by a K-9

He is strong and can move pretty fast..

Don't worry about eating at all about eating.
Just make sure he stays hydrated.

You can offer small worms or rolipolis, but don't
worry if he doesn't eat for awhile. Out of several
babies I've had hatch during the past month, I've only
had one take anything.

Sometimes they won't eat for a couple of months.
If you still have his eggshell, put that in with him.
Sometime they will nibble on their eggshell and the
calcium is good for them.

As far as your other question.....it mainly depends
if you want to spend the time raising a baby turtle.

If he is relesed soon, he has a good chance of being
eaten by something else. You could let him get bigger
and release him. But if you want to release him in the
near future, just find a place with alot of shrubs,
for cover(and awayfrom dogs).

Either way, it hasn't been that long since
his hatchling. I'd let him stabilize for a couple of
weeks at least.

Should I worry about him not basking under the light? He keeps buring himself.

Hatchling and juvenile turtles are seldom seen in the wild, primarily because they spend much of their time hiding. Burrowing into the substrate is perfectly normal behavior, so I really wouldn't worry about it.
Provide what it needs in the way of light and you'll soon find that your turtle will get what it needs.

Stephanie

That is normal for them to stay buried
much of the time.

I wouldn't do a basking light, just something
to brighten up his living quarters and maybe
something that provides UVB, although I've found
I don't have any problems if I use reptimin vitamins
with D3.

Anyway, you don't want him to accidently overheat.

What I like to do is have an undertank heating pad
under part of their enclosure. That way, if they need
to warm up, they can move to the warmer substrate.