Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a baby red eared slider in NYC 2 weeks ago and it still hasnt eaten. what should I do? help..thanks

Check the water temp. For these little guys, it should be between 80 & 82. If the water is to cold, their metabolism slows down and they quite eating. Try different foods. Mine love earthworms. He will actually come out of the water and chase me down to get them. I also had to break the Reptomin sticks in half when my guy was little.

Is your little one doing open mouth breathing? Mine quit eating and did the open mouthed breathing when he got a resp. infection. The vet fixed us up with some antibotics. I did have to give him shots for a week, and that was an experience on such a little guy!!! Those little legs are very strong! i also raised his water temp to about 84, until he was all better (that was the vets recomendation).

A lot of these fly by night guys, selling RES in the mall, do not bother telling buyers that they need UVB and heat. They sell them in those little 5 x 7 Critter Keepers, as if they can live in that!! Sorry, have seen alot of the little guys being sloshed around the mall, while Mommy finishes shopping. Seems irresponsible on the seller's part to me. Anything for the quick buck. If you sell RES forgive me. I am just talking about the jerks I have seen here.

Sorry for the rabbit trail. Hope you RES starts eating soon.
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Jenea

1:3 Eastern Hognose
0:0:1 Florida Redbelly
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:0 Red-eared Slider
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

How big is your baby RES? Unfortunately small hatchlings are extremely delicate and hard to keep, which is why its mostly illegal to sell them under 4inches. You say you bought it in NYC, was it China Town? If so then it was a "soup turtle", or a turtle who was being sold to eat, in which case they are usually extremely unhealthy and often times dont make it.

Im sorry to sound grim, its just the truth of it all.

What is your set up? Size tank, gallons of water? Water temp? Air temp? Is there a basking spot? is there a UVB bulb? what have you tried feeding?

Leave your turtle alone completely, if you have been handling it then stop and let it rest. It needs to destress.Offer live foods such as small crickets, and live bloodworms. Bits of chopped up earthworms are tasty to them as well
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1.2 Leopard Gecko's (normal:normal:tang:baldy hypo tang)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats