Feeding and Nutrition :: Water heater, feeding, not eating

[Gordon89]

Hi, I finally got my RES (1 inch) to a nearly 5 gallon rubbermaid container, along with a picture rock and a water heater. However, I did gave many different different products to my turtle before sleeping. result is, my turtle didn't even eat anything.

WHY I ALWAYS GET TURTLES THAT DOESN'T EAT?
DO THEY EAT BUGS???

[cam722]

If the turtle is new to you it may take some time before it starts to eat. Just be patient. What did you try to feed it? What is the rest of the setup like? Does he have any privacy?

[steve]

Have you read the basic info on this site, including this file: http://www.redearslider.com/res-guide.pdf

The equipment you buy need to be setup correctly. Whats a picture rock?

[Gordon89]

Thanks for the link, and I believe I have everything that list required me to have. A picture rock is a light blue rock.

My turtle not bright enough, he kept picking the higher level to climb, do they need time to learn to climb somewhere lower?

[cam722]

Actually they usually do go to the highest spot because that is closer to the warmth of their lights. So what he is doing is as nature intended.

[Gordon89]

Haha, very logical. I don't like uneven rocks lying on the tank because it is giving my turtle a hard time to get to the top... I wish there are something like a carrot had it's top cutted off so my turtle can find its way up in any direction.

P.S. I feed my turtle some frog pellets my frog left over, turtle food I bought from the street vendor, and dried shrimps.

[marisa]

Pellets from a street vendor...what is the name of these pellets? How much are you trying to give him and how often are you feeding him? Since he's so small, can you get some earthworms and cut one up for him? Babies like live food that moves. Crickets would also be good in addition to a good brand of turtle pellet (I don't know what's in those frog pellets, but wonder how good they'd be for a growing turtle, especially on a regular basis). Those shrimp are high in protein and shouldn't be offered regularly either.

If the basking area is hard for him to get on, it would be good to change it to one that's easier for him to climb...

[Gordon89]

O my, my turtle gobbled up four piece of shrimps within a day. I'm trying to buy the turtle food in stick form. I'm a bit scare if that thing is going to have a heart attack from all those shrimps =p

the brand of the drog pellet is "HBH, Frog & Tadpole BITES" My turtle doesn't seem to like the frog pellets. Maybe turtle sticks, I will stock is someday.

[marisa]

HBH makes turtle bites, too, I think. They'd be better for your turtle than frog food. Too much shrimp too often is not good because of the high protein content.

[Gordon89]

Can i feed the sticks food made especially for turtle as one of their primary diet?

[missibsu]

Pellets should be a good start, but you also need to add veggies. The sooner you get started on veggies, the easier it will be. It is also good to offer cuttlebone for your turtle. Just don't forget to peal the hard backing off. It is made for birds, so you will find it in that section.