Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two RES hatchlings named JFK and Theresa, and I got them about two months ago.JFK has grown a lot, while Theresa is the same size as she was when I bought them(the size of a half dollar). JFK is now the about the size of a small Shaws sugar cookie.
She seems to have trouble eating.She goes for the food, but then spits it out.JFK is a hog and does not have this problem.

I have tried separating them for meals and it makes no difference. The water temp is 78 degrees and clean, and the tank is 3/4 full with a Fluval filter and a turtle dock with UVB and UVA lighting.THey both bask regularly and are active swimmers.She acts healthy, it just worries me that she is not growing or eating properly.
What do you think the problem is?
...Anne
2 RES hatchlings
1 Anklebiter (16 months)

Turtles grow at different rates. Some say small while others grow several inches ahead of them and then all of a sudden there is a growth spurt out of no where for the little one.
This is not a major concern. The food spitting thing IS. This could be just a case of not really caring for what she is being fed OR a more serious problem. Try feeding Theresa a superworm (large mealworms) or if you find that objectionable try giving her a piece of cooked shrimp and see if she sucks that down readily. Make the pieces small enough so she can readily fit them in her mouth. If she swallows them down then probably it is just that she does not like the other things you are feeding her. (I assume some reptile stick is what she is not liking).

Also now that she is separated from JFK monitor her droppings (make sure she is pooping). If she has an obstruction she may not want to eat. If the spitting out of food continues I would have her checked by a vet. She could have a many different problems (mouthrot, systemic infection of some sort bacterial or even fungal in nature).

Try the shrimp thing first and see what happens but don't sit on the problem if it continues.

Honuman,
Actually, I do give her dried shrimp as a treat once in a while.She goes nuts for them, but I think she just bites them in half and spits them out.
I am going to give it a week and see how it goes.If she is not well after that, I'll take her to the vet.Thanks for replying
...Anne

That's the best decision really. Better safe than sorry.