Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought an ornate wood turtle about 8 days ago and to my knowledge he hasn't eaten anything yet. I've tried to watch his food pretty closely and it seems as though he's not eating. I've tried feeding him carrots, green beans, cauliflower, bananas, grapes, and freeze dried crickets. He doesn't seem to want any of it. Is he okay? Does anyone have any advice?

I had the same problem with my ornate wood turtle when I first bought her. In my case, it was due to a Vitamin A deficiency, I brought her to the vet and they gave her a Vitamin A shot - within a few weeks she was healthy and active. When you bought it did you bring it to a herp vet for a check-up?

What are you keeping the turtle in?? I have a pair that I've had over a year and they spend approx 90% of their time in the water and thats the only place I've seen them eat. Mine eat leaf lettuce, dandelion greens and worms. Good luck!!
Brian

Are your Wood Turtles of the species Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima, (Orange, Brown, Black markings on shell and head) or Rhinoclemmys punctularia (Dark shell, black head striped with orange and yellow markings)? Punctularia are highly aquatic and mine ate only in the water. Vegetables and fruits that float were preferred including lettuce (not iceberg), apples, spinach, cucumbers, etc. Also try supplementing that diet with foods that contain protein. The Pulcherrima are more terrestrial than the Punctularia and will eat on land, but I would also try feeding it in the water and see if that makes a difference. If it just doesn't eat at all you may have a problem, as often come with wild caught turtles. The Central American Wood Turtles in the pet trade are predominantely wild caught. It may have a worm, or parasite infestation though not externally noticeable, or like previously mentioned a Vitamin A or some other deficiency. Hope this helps. Reply back, and let us know.

The main thing that i have seen with ornates is that they must feel secure when they are eating. I feared that mine would die because she would only eat like a bite a week or less, but then i read an article about this and then put some fake plans around the side of the tank and she has been an eating machine for years now.

Has the turtle eaten yet?
I chop up in a machine greens(no spinach), baby carrot, zuchinni, yellw squash, one big fat strawberry(for flavor and smell-plus they LOVE them), some like black berries too.
8 days aint nothing, they have to get used to where they are. if they're comfy they'll eat. Make sure you provide everything he needs. humidty, water tub to swim in, deep substrate to dig and hide.

Turtle's all good now.