Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We've just recently become the unexpected family of a RES hatchling. In an attempt to educate myself about the RES, I have visited a number of websites and forums. I can't remember where I saw it posted, but I'm looking for some feedback. The topic was feeding. There was a statement that it was best to feed your turtle in the morning, because basking aides in digestion and if the turtle is fed at night or later in the day it will not have sufficient time to bask. In turn your turtle will not receive full benefit of its meal. I don't remember seeing a correlation between basking and digestion on any other site (I really wish I could remember where I read it). Has anyone heard of this? There seems to be varying opinion on feeding frequency (how many times per day or week) but I have not seen much about feeding times (time of day). I'm looking for any viable information that can help us provide this little guy with a long, healthy life.

I believe the reason that basking helps digestion is the heat. When a turtle's body temperature goes up its metabolism goes up too, hence better digestion. So based on this, I don't see why not feed them in the evening, provided that the water that they feed in is warm, and that a couple of hours remain before you turn off the light (to make sure that they don't go to bed with undigested food). This is my take on when to feed them.