Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. My Snake Neck turtle is not eating. He is full grown and was eating fine and then just stopped about a month ago. He is still very active and everything, but just doesn't really eat. He eats VERY little now, as compared to how he ate before. Any thoughts on how to get him eating again? I've tried pellets, greens, and fish... Thanks in advance.

Circusfan

How is his overall appearance? How long have you had him? I assume you know 100% sure that he is a he.

Just trying to rule out the possibility him being a her full of eggs.

How much is he eating at this point? With alot of our rehab picky eaters (most being diamond back terrapins coming out of food markets) we seem to get some success with offer rich foods like butterworms and super worms. They seem to perk up the sluggish or non eaters and then they start hitting on everything.

Steve

I am positive it is a he. His overall appearance is good, just like normal. I'll give your advice a go. Thanks a lot.

Circusfan

This happened once with my mud. Always a good eater, just stopped in mid-meal one day & refused food.
That was 1997, I got him tested for parasites, he had them. He was treated with the right medication & started eating again.
I've never had a problem with him refusing food since then.
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PHRatz

Two things come to mind at this time of year. Although snakenecks don't ususally hibernate, a decrease in ambient temperature and a decrease in daylength may possibly produce the "Stop feeding syndrome" we often see in recently wild-caught box turtles as they prepare for hibernation. This does not usually persist beyond the first year in captivity under artificial conditions. Increase your temperature to 80 or so and make sure the light intensity is high. This is probably not the answer, but it's a thought. What species of snakeneck is it? The narrow-headed longicollis group is much pickier than the broad-headed siebenrocki group.