Feeding and Nutrition :: trying to get hatchling to eat

[LeslieMW]

my little turtle hasn't eaten for awhile. i know it's ok otherwise, it's acting normal and swimming fine. i heard you can give it pedialite?

which kind should i give it? is there any proper way to give it to it?


but on a funny note, i thought you were supposed to give it "pediasure" instead of "pedialite" which is basically like thick chocolate milk. poor turtle was swimming in chocolate milk for about 30 seconds before i realized that this couldn't be right. haha aw

[untsmurf]

How long have you had it? How big is it? What are the temps like? Does it live with another turtle? Are you feeding in a separate tank or in its enclosure? What was its diet/appetite like before it stopped eating? How long has it been since it ate?

[LeslieMW]

-i've only had it for a few days
-it's about one inch
-80 temp in water, 85 bask
-it's supposed to live with another turtle, but as of right now it's in it's own enclosure
-i feed it in it's own enclosure
-well, it never even started eating

[TamiXWP]

Leslie,
When I got mine all I could get them to eat was Mosquito larva. They loved them and I had trouble finding them through the Winter. They are now eating Pellets.

[untsmurf]

You need to up the basking temp another five degrees or so.

Most new turts won't eat for the first week or two after coming home due to stress. Just let it be, it'll relax, then in a couple days offer it food. If there's nothing wrong with it, health wise, it will eat in a few days once it relaxes. Don't resort to fatty, unhealthy foods until you have to. It's a hard habit to break.

[LeslieMW]

oh really? where do i find mosquito larva

[TamiXWP]

I have tubs outside with water lily's and I just scoop them up with a net. Wow, never thought of anybody not have tubs with water lilys but maybe you don't. Do you have any friends with Water Gardens?

[LeslieMW]

hmm no i don't think so. and no, i don't have a tub with water lilys haha

[TamiXWP]

Do you have any standing water at all? Oh come on your in Florida. Go down to the swamp. Take a little net.

Wonder if he would eat those frozen red worms you can buy at some pet stores?

Tami

[LeslieMW]

hahah unfortunetly, not that part of florida...only water i'm near is the beach...and my pool haha.

[TamiXWP]

Any ditches? Any standing water at all? You are really being obstanant. LOL
I know y'all have mosquito's.

[untsmurf]

It'll be healthier for your turtle if you just let him relax. Feeding your turtle something you find in the wild is dangerous, you never know what it could be carrying.