Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am afraid my new baby is going to die. He hasn't eaten at all in a month that I am aware of in spite of every trick I have tried. I am almost to the point where I think I should take the chance and hibernate him. I bought a small refrigerator and did some research on how to hibernate using a fridge. I am very scared to try this but he is not giving me much choice. He does seem to be rubbing his eyes when I soak him so hopefully he doesn't have some kind of respiratory infection. Thinking back I am not sure that the vendor at the show took very good care of him based on how he was presented at the show but I wanted one so badly I took the chance.

What should I do? Please help! I don't want to lose him but I know that he can't go on like this.

Linda

I've gone back and re-read your previous threads and you seem to be doing everything reasonably expected to produce good results. Occasionally, unfortunately, nothing works and the turtle dies. And the cause of death might never be determined by you or a vet. It's the way of nature - not all survive.

I realize that this is very discouraging for you, but it's true.

Artificial hibernation? You probably don't have too much to loose at this point - the turtle's internal clock is telling him to go dormant. The main concern is the turtle losing too much water over the dormant period, but if you've done your research, you'll make the environment correct to keep adequate moisture.

Good luck.

(As a side note, my smallest hatchling of the summer was just observed eating for the first time this week - a full 8 weeks after hatching, while others from the same nest have been eating since the second week. Go figure.)

My first two EB hatchlings I lost. Started out eating great,slowly lost interest in food. At the end seemed to not be able to move very well, looked like they wanted to eat but couldn't. I keep them in a tank with dirt and a soaking area. I believe they died because the set up was too dry. Since then I have hatched and raised many babies. I keep them in a large container with wet to the point of standing water on one side. I use bed a beast( I place a 2in.piece of wood underneath on one side of the container to make a land side and a very wet water side. I Give them plastic plants,a few hide areas etc. I place a heat lamp/light on one side on a timer, about 12-14hs a day, no heat source at night. I cover with plexiglass to keep the humidity high Figured out in the woods it is cool and damp in the leaf litter,especially at night. In the 10 years since the first hatchling, have not lost one. I dump bugs a once or twice a week(mostly meal worms, beetles crickets),eventually feeding chopped veggies and soaked dog food after a few months with the bugs. Once the weather the following year stays warm usually May,they go outside with the adults. They are very secretive don't usually witness all eating, but they seem to thrive.
Try really wetting down the bedding and keeping it wet.

Phil

I just sent you a message off list.

Linda, this turtle should not be hibernated and it CAN be duped into thinking it is summer by giving it summer-like temps, humidity and amount of "day light" hours. Night time temps should be maintained at around 70 degrees-not lower. Daytime temps-up to 80 with a warmer spot around 85. Humidity should be high-as I said before from your pictures-his tank may be too dry. The number of hours the lights are kept on should be 14 hours. These conditions reflect the height of summer when turtles are active and eating.

Try feeding the turtle every day -have you tried waxworms? Have you tried live bloodworms? For now-to get nutrition in him-soak him in a mixture of Ensure and Pedilyte, or Ensure and apple juice.

Don't give up because a month is not so long in the life of a box turtle Don't put him in hibernation because you said you think he might be getting a respiratory infection. Plus you think he didn't get good care with the breeder-so it is especially important that you keep him up and eating this winter.

The forum is here to help and to share in your worry over this turtle...I for one have heard this very same problem come up with other turtle owners many times. Hibernation is rarely the answer in the case of a very young turtle of which you know little of its past history. Just hang in there, make the changes that are necessary, and do the things that gives the turtle the best chance to survive. If it doesn't survive, at least you can say that you gave it your best effort and didn't give up on it.

Please make these changes if they are not in place already, and keep us posted, even if it is just to share with you your concerns.
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

Thank you so much for your posting. I have bought a smaller rubbermaid container and did part soil and sand mixture to keep the humidity up and then added shredded cypress mulch and spaghnom moss along with a little potho plant. My room is heated to 83 degrees and along with my other reptile lights it stays very warm during the day. I have a Reptisun 5.0 over his enclosure. At night I will place the top on loosely to keep humidity in. I have been soaking him already in Pedialyte but soaked him again tonight in ensure and pedialyte. I do leave food for him every morning.I am going tomorrow to buy one of the humidity things that I saw at the reptile show in Tinley and add that to really raise the humidity. What do you think about using a egg incubator? Last question, should I add a heating pad underneath the end where he buries himself?

Thanks again and I am trying everything and anything at this point. I have even thought I should have my exotic tube feed him once or twice. I know this will be stressful so is a very last resort.

Linda

Linda-

I have followed a little bit of what has been going on. I think all the suggestions for higher humidity will help. I wanted to let you know I've had somewhat the same issue with the not eating with my baby EBT recently. I finally found something mine will eat: microsuperworms. I got mine from Mulberry Farms- they're small enough that my guy isn't intimidated by the size. Also, I had someone suggest sowbugs to me. Don't know if you've tried this or the microsuperworms, but I did want to let you know in case it might help.

Good luck!

Obakefan