Feeding and Nutrition :: open mouth is begging?

[zagyzebra]

We are noticing that our turtle is sticking his head out of the water, opening his mouth and making tiny little squeak-like noises, sometimes almost a hissing. Is this a form of begging for food, do you think? Yet, if we feed him when he does this, he doesn't seem to be interested in food.

Also, do you just drop the lettuce, or whatever, in the tank water?

Ours is getting to be a little bit more than 2 inches, and I guess we should buy a tank with room to grow. Any suggestions on size of tank? I've heard 150 gallons for a fully grown adult. Jeez -- that's huge and would take up so much space, not to mention money! I would appreciate your feedback and experiences regarding tank size.

Thanks so much for the input.

[SpotsMama]

I can think of two completely different things where the open mouth is concerned.

Is he opening his mouth when you hold his food or your fingers close to his face? Does he look like he's about to bite? One possibility is that he's opening his mouth to bite you!

The other possibility is not good. Turtles open their mouths to breath when they have a respiratory infection. In this case, they are seriously ill. Some other symptoms of RI are difficulty submerging, swimming lopsided, lethargy, poor appetite, swollen eyes. All these symptoms don't have to be present but if some are your turtle probably needs to see a vet right away.

Do either of these fit your turtle?

That squeak noise is kind of worrisome. They do hiss - that's normal - but it's when they pull their heads back in their shell. The hissing is air being expelled from their lungs. Hissing is really common when they're scared or trying to bite you. Is that what's happening? Squeaking, though, might be another symptom of RI.

For lettuce, yes, you can just drop it in the water! Alternatively, you can put it in a veggie clip (you get these in the pet store in the fish section). It's kind of like a clothes-pin with a sucker that attaches to the side of the tank and holds the lettuce in place so it's easier for the turtle to eat it.

For tank size, for one turtle you don't have to get one as large as 150 gallons. Over several years time, a male will grow to a maximum of around 9" and a female to a maximum of 12". At the 10 gallosn per inch of turtle rule, that would be 90 gallons for a male and 120 (max) for a female. Some of them never get up to the maximum size.

[Rickiew04]

I currently have a turtle who is trying to survive a Repiratory Infection. Sometimes he will pop his head out of the water and open his mouth and it will make a weird squeak sound. It kinda sounds like a little popping sound when he opens his mouth. Hopefully this is not what your turtle has. The disinterest in food is also somewhat worriesome. Mine, thankfully, hasn't stopped eating, but that is sometimes a sign that they are sick. Is your turtle basking a lot more than usual? Eyes puffy? Tilting to one side when he is swimming in the water? These are all signs of RI.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sounds like turtle pneumonia ("respiritory illness" or RI for short). Definitely get him to the vet soon. The antibiotics for this illness are not expensive & they can save your turtle's life. Unfortunately you can't solve RI without antibiotics.