Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This baby is 52 grams. According to what I read on the internet this is closer to a four year old. I tried to get a good picture but couldn't as I didn't want to stress him. I will try again.

Your thoughts on the weight?

Thanks again
Linda

Sounds good for a captive raised youngster that's been getting regular meals.

I am concerned as I haven't been able to get it to eat yet. Do you think this is an older turtle. Maybe I am not doing something right. There is a difference between caring for a hatchling and an adult. My adopted adult box turtle is thriving, even now that she has come in the house.

Is there any other tempting foods I can try? The little one stays hid all the time. It is curious and attentive though when I soak it so it doens't appear to be ill. It just runs like hell and buries itself in my presence. Do I take the chance of not even soaking it and just leave it completely alone? I am afraid it would not come out if I didn't make it.

Please advise

They are not the best but I am trying not to stress him out.
For size comparison, the worm is a red wriggler and it is on a lid from a 2 lb coffee container. The turtle is 52 grams.

How does it look and how old do you think it is? Any other comments will be appreciated.

Thanks, Linda

Awww! Poor little guy! He's just going through relocation stress as all.... I wouldn't worry about it! Turtles are tough.... They can go quite a long time without food and water.

Naturally, the smaller younger turtles are going to take longer to acclimate. My big rescued female was the same the way. She ate better after being brought home than my little one, which didn't eat anything after I brought him home. I paid like 85 dollars, plus tax, for him. The pet store got them from a local person, which their box turtles had babies unintentionally. I picked out the biggest and the best looking one.

Linda, when they are young, size correlates directly to how much and how regularly they eat. Based on those photos (and comparing to personal observation of head-started hatchlings here)I would guess that that turtle could be anywhere from 3 to 12 months

Try not to worry too much about it not eating at the moment: they are well equipped to go for long periods without food.
Tasty treats to offer are wax worms and, if you can find them, small slugs.

I will try not to worry.

Linda

I would guess it to be a yearling. This time of year feeding can be tricky, as the turtle may have started to shut down for brumation, if it was outside before you bought it, I know that my outsiders have not fed in the last 3 weeks and in a couple weeks will be going under for good untill spring.
I would hope that once your turtle settles in to it's new home and provided that it has enough heat, it will begin feeding soon.
Personally I would brumate a second fall turtle, but without knowing the history and health and feeding, it's difficult to recommend that.
Hopefully you will be able to keep him or her warm and active and feeding thru the winter.
Best of luck
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

Thanks. How long do I let him go without eating before I get really concerned? Can I soak him in full strength pedialyte?

I think that soaking him a few times when you first got him is enough and that you leave him alone to acclimate. IT will take longer if you keep handling him, not to mention it's stressful for him. It may take up to two weeks or a little more. I say if it's been three weeks and he still hasn't acclimate, then there might problems.

Up until now no one ever said when I should to worry.

Thanks