Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,
Today I aquired my first baby eastern(I think) painted turtle. He is just a baby, probably a little over a year. Now I know its nothing to worry about yet(The not-feeding issue, that is), but how can I intice my little guy to eat. If I put a worm infront of his face, he moves away. He runs away, and everytime he goes to bask, and I come into the room, he jumps off his slate rocks!

What are some all time favourite foods of the painted turtles? This and any other info you feel is important to a newbie painted owner would be extremely helpful...

Thank-you very much,
Steven

What a great choice in turtles! Painted turtles can be
very personable after getting to know you. I have had my
2 Painteds for 5 years now and they will actually swim up
to my outstretched hand and climb on board.

I wouldn't worry too much yet about the him not eating.
It takes a little while to get acclimated. Do you know
what he was eating prior to you getting him. It's important
to stick with familar foods at first. Reptomin Floating
Food sticks has always been the staple diet for mine. Then
I mix it up with frozen shrimp (thawed and cut to bite size
pieces), soaked, dry cat food, greens, thinly sliced zucchini,
fruit and Anarcharis (water plant). Young turtles tend to
like more the meaty diets though.

Just give him a few days to settle in and he should begin
to eat.

Hope this helps
Linda
2 Painted turtles
2 RES
1 Redfoot Tortoise
2 Iguanas

Can you give me details on his habitat?

Size of enclosure, lights, uvb source???

Thank-you very much Linda for the friendly welcome, and informative answer !

My little guy at the moment lives in a 29 gallon tank, with approximately with a 7cm depth of water. I have two live aquatic plants in the tank, and would like to get some more soon.(I'm afraid I can't remember the names of the plants(I do know ones very fuzzy looking, and one had small broad leaves), but I do know they are attratcive)). Leaning on most of the back wall of the aquarium are slanetd slate rocks, pointing upwards(He basks there ). There are several rosy red minnows in the tank, as well with a few small earthworms(Food sources of course!).

My little guy does have UVB light on his tank, and I'm trying to figure out how to put on a heat lamp(I don't have a lid for the tank(PRICEY 20$$$ taxes Canadian).

And the temperature of the tanks water is approximately 70(I know a little cool )aswell with room temperature is 70.

I'm afraid I have little to know clue about what this little guy was eating before I recieved him.

So, Linda do you think I should make the water temperature warmer somehow???

Thankyou for your time, and help,
Steven

You can go online or go to Lowe's or Home depot. The heat
lamp is called a dome or brooder lamp. Use both names as
I found some people are not familar with the term brooder
lamp. You can buy these with a clamp that would clamp right to
your aquarium. When you start running this for 12 hours
during the day, it will warm the water automically. Painted
turtles do not require real warm water. I would strive for
74-76 during the day and can cool to 70 at night. Remember
to let the turtle have darkness at night. You can put your
lights on an automatic timer which you can set to come on at
7am and go off at 7pm.

Good luck
Linda