Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i rescued a female box turtle that had been a pet for around a year and when i got her i rehydrated her and got her eating a good diet.
two months later she layed four eggs and ate one of them.
the other three hatched a couple of weeks ago.
they seem reluctant to eat anything i offer them, i have offered worms, strawberries, all to no avail.
is there a no fail method or food type ? i have not tryed moist dog food or cat food.
or if there is an expert close by who can help them get going and either release them or give them a good home, let me know and you can have them.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE HAD PAST SUCCESS with these babies!!!!!
I an going to the Tinley Park show next weekend.
Chris
Hoosier Reptiles

I have hatchlings for the first time this year, and this is what works for me:

Moving food. Worms, pill bugs,etc. Skip the fruit and veggies for now.

Food that is small enough to tackle easily. Too large a worm & they might not be able to consume it readily & will just walk away.

Sense of security. I have one that didn't eat for nearly three weeks after hatching, until I made sure a) it couldn't see me & b) it couldn't see the other hatchlings. It eats regularly now if those criteria are met.

Temperature & humidity. If they're not warm enough they won't eat. Soaking also can stimulate appetite.

Patience.

Stephs right. It sounds to me like it's still early. I've hatched Eastern, Three-toed & Florida boxies and some eat roughly two weeks after hatching, some take 4 weeks or so.

The method I use helps me to know that each is eating their fair share. I pull each one out, individually for a soak. I place them in a plastic container, often the old white containers that held earthworms. I fill it with a centimeter of water enough that they can raise their heads and breath.

I float small redworms, pill bugs or reptomin in the water, just one or two pieces (if you will). It almost never fails. When the hatchling sees the movement or smells the reptomin, they start nipping at it. After that point, I feed every 2 days. Always remain out of sight or they will duck for cover.

I usually feed the little guys under the UV light to provide them some exposure during this period, since most babies will burrow non-stop at this age.

Another benefit of this method is that the little guys will associate soak time with dinner time. It gets them in a cycle, which is best for feed response.

Soon, you'll have bigger little guys stomping around eating in their habitat.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Paul

Keep them warm and humid - I actually keep mine in a plastic shoe box tipped, so a little water will be standing in one side. The best food to get them started is pill bugs, also try small meal worms, to start them eating - be carefull not to make the meal worms their staple diet, as they do not have what the turtles need nurtritionally. Baby box turtles will sometimes not eat for the first couple of weeks, so be patient. The key is to keep them warm and humid, and continue to offer them small insects, as they are primarily carniveroius.

Bill G.

they are in my snake room that is allways around 81 degrees
i keep them in sphagnum moss that i mist every day.
i'll try the soak and feed tip.
thanks
Chris
Hoosier Reptiles