Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it possible (ie, are they apt to training) to train a box hatching to eat when you want him to eat? I have two new hatchlings. I usually soak them, then feed them. One will eat immediately. The other however will not. I have to leave food out and he takes his sweet time. The problem is that I have had to give him his own tub to ensure that the other box doesn't eat his food. I don't want to house them seperately. I set up a really nice place with a moss lawn and everything and I want both to be able to enjoy.

I want to condition him to eat right after the soaking like the other one. Are they able to be conditioned in this manner. I don't want to take the food away and risk having him starve if it's not likely that he'll "understand" the procedure.

No offense to box lovers, but I guess what I'm asking is are they too simple to learn this sort of thing. I'd think that food would be such a simple instinctual motivator. Also, should I just let him starve (ie, take away the food) and hope that he gets the idea sooner rather than later?

Regarding Hatchlings; it's difficult to get them on a schedule. But when you do it's time well worth spent.

In your situation other factors can be affecting the feeding instinct of such young boxies. Most commonly it's a self survival instinctive reaction. One hatchling that's more aggressive can intimidate the other.

I would recommend that you separate the two temporarily.

Give the smaller one the bigger enclosure for a couple weeks. Let it feed unobtrusively and gain weight and confidence. It will begin to feed regularily in this nice enclosure you have prepared for both. Feed the other boxie in a smaller temporarary housing at the same times to maintain scheduling time.

After a few weeks they will be the same size and the one that has stayed in the enclosure will gain confidence. Reintroduce them again and see if both will feed at the scheduled times.

I have done this with up to 8 hatchlings; but they all have their own personalities!

Good Luck!

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>>I want to condition him to eat right after the soaking like the other one. Are they able to be conditioned in this manner. I don't want to take the food away and risk having him starve if it's not likely that he'll "understand" the procedure.
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I don't know that you can train them to do what you want. I've found that they truly are individuals.. like humans who each have their own personalities.
My turtles & the tortoise all seem to have gotten used to a routine but it's basically a mixture of my routine & theirs.
I know which ones don't like to be watched while they eat, which ones couldn't care less if I see them eat.
Hobo my wild male will not eat unless I put food in front of him then RUN away so that I am no where near him. On the other side of that picture Janie will take food right out of my hands.
Whatever comes most naturally to them is what I do my best to work around so that they aren't stressed but I'm sure they get their food.
I think turtles & tortoises are kind of like cats.. as in they'll do what they want when they want.. but couldn't care less what we the humans think about it.
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PHRatz