i have two chinatown res baby turtles... i've had them for only a few days, but they won't eat. i haven't seen them eat or poop. i tried pellets, shrimp and other protein turtle food, even pieces of meat. i don't want them to die!! help please..
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they won't eat!
sunnapple
Oct 14, 2004 04:26 PM
Replies (4)
honuman
Oct 14, 2004 04:38 PM
What are you keeping them in?
sunnapple
Oct 14, 2004 04:40 PM
i put them in a rubbermaid bin that's fairly large. they have a filter, heat lamp...rocks to dry off. does it make a difference what they are being kept in?
iturnrocks
Oct 14, 2004 06:00 PM
not so much what theyre being kept in as what the conditions are. Is the water heated? What is the water temperature and what is the basking temperature. You should have a thermometer to check both. Also make sure you are feeding them in water. Semi-aquatic turtles have to eat underwater. I personally would try to have the water temp about 76-80F, and the basking 85-87F, to encourage feeding. Make sure the babies can remove themselves completely from the water when basking.
If you are still having problems, try a small earthworm that is alive, sometimes the movement triggers instinctive eating. Also, try giving them privacy when eating, since they are chinatown turtles, im sure theyve had a very stressful life so far, and lots of time alone will make them feel more comfortable.
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karebear41486
Oct 15, 2004 12:53 AM
When i first got mine, he didnt eat for about a week! I think he just needed time to adjust. Im sure once your turles get really hungry and adjusted they will start eating better....thats what happened to mine!
