Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my other res still wont eat outside his home.. i take him out to feed him in a different container but he wont eat! i think he likes to see me changing the water every 4 days.. as you all know.. turtles are messy eaters and they are good at it.. any suggestions on how to feed or train your turtles to eat into another container?
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I had the same problem. Try putting the turtle in a tub about 5 x its width and length. Throw some food in there and cover it with a towel (so a little light gets through and the turtle can see). Ta da, a secured container. Oh, you can also try warming the turtle up to the container as well. Place the guy in the container for 1 hr a day without food. Then on the 3rd or 4th day add food. Usually sliders are big feeders (all turtles for that matter) so it's usually all it takes.
Jeff M
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Jeff M.
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1.2 tri-colored hogs
2.4 w.hogs
1.2 albino RES
2.4 spotted turtles
0.1 puppy
--->2.7 albino mice feeder breeding colony

hi jeff.. i just tried the method you suggested and he did took a bite on his food.. but he acted crazy when i picked him up. he was thrashing around. is this normal? or is he stressed out from all the moving?
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2 RES
3 FILE SNAKES
1 PHIL. SAILFIN DRAGON
1 TOKAY GECKO

That is totally normal until he gets used to you handling him, especially when the surrounding has changed. The hard part is over, congrats. I haven't had the same luck with all my turtles. I can tell your turtle is lucky to have you. Happy Turtleing!!!!

Jeff

Ps. Also make sure you dont squeeze the little guy too hard, they can actually feel the pressure from your fingers. I found that some turtles wont thrash around unless you grab them a little tight. They also get used to being handled a lot faster. Dont get me wrong, dont drop the guy..LOL.
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Jeff M.
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1.2 tri-colored hogs
2.4 w.hogs
1.2 albino RES
2.4 spotted turtles
0.1 puppy
--->2.7 albino mice feeder breeding colony