Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 6:05 pm
Think of it this way: Can you look directly into a lightbulb less than a foot from your face? Nope. Your eyes sting, because the eye is one of the most, if not the most, sensitive area of the body, aside from the skin.
Outdoors, though, the baby does not look directly into the sun, thus, he can open his or her eyes freely.
As well, this is a baby you have, so its much more sensitive to light, touch, temperature, etc. than an older RES.
With the eating, assuming you have the water at a good height for the turtle to eat in since they can't eat out of water, maybe he just doesn't like the food or isn't getting enough light. If you put him out in the sun in a kiddie pool, the turtle will most likely liven up.
How big is your tank? In inches, how big is your turtle? What temperature do you have that water? How long have you had the turtle? The water cannot be under 78 degrees F for a hatchling turtle.
When I first got my RES, he took some time to adapt to his environment. When he came to trust it, then he began eating. This was about two days later when he developed a good appetite. Turtles can live up to two weeks without eating, but if they are hatchlings, that's obviously not very healthy.
May 28, 2006
Daemon: Male, 4.2'' - Date Adopted: 06.25.05
Sayre: Female, 5.11'' - Date Adopted: 07.01.05