Feeding and Nutrition :: how do u feed em?

[Pluckt007]

hola, i started out feeding nameless just by dropping pellets in the tank, then i held them with my finger tips, then i placed my other hand underwater, let him climb up onto it, and feed him like that. he seems rather comfortable with me, so i started to wet the pellet, put it on the tip of my girlfriends nose(cuz its only funny when the other person is sleeping), and it sticks. then then move my palm up to her nose, and nameless almost runs off of my palm, extends his next like and inch, and takes to food off. i gonna get a picture of this, cuz eventually hell take a notsril with him too. anyway else i can feed my turtle in such an engaging, and safe, manner?

[megcornell]

Turtles cannot eat out of the water. They need the water to swallow. Also, I wouldn't put a hatchling near someone's face because they can carry salmonella.
If you want to hand feed your turtle to bond with him that's fine, but I wouldn't do anything else, it just stresses out the turtle.

[Pluckt007]

hold up, wait....i know that turtles dont have saliva, i neeee--eeever said that the turtle chewed or swallowed, or ate food outisde of water. after its in his mouth, i lower my palm back into the water, where he does the whole eating, biting and chewing thing. calm down, relax. as for the sameliia thing, ummm.... everybody should come to a consecous about it, cuz i asked if exessive handling was an still an important issue with samilina in a topic, and others, including other moderators, told me to chill out, it wasnt a big concern. soooo i dont know. once again, the vast knowlege and expiernces have created a cloud of confusion....anybody else?

[marisa]

Pluck007, when you're told not to worry about salmonella, people would generally be assuming that you're using your hands and are going to wash them well afterward---there should be no problem with that. Using your girlfriend's nose as a "tee" for holding food doesn't sound to me like a very "engaging and safe" manner to feed him, though. Engaging for who? For you're enjoyment, maybe, but not his; all he care's about is getting the food. You have to hold him to get him back into water so he can eat--what if you drop him or he falls off your hand (it can happen, even if you think you're being careful). Your turtle is not a circus animal and shouldn't have to do tricks to be able to eat.

[untsmurf]

I agree 100% with Marisa and Meg. A turtle is a pet, playing with them is one thing but teasing them is just mean. As far as salmonella, wash your hands after you touch your turtle and try not to lick it and you'll be okay.

[Pluckt007]

haaa..what? who licks thier turtle? yeah, he's my little circus animal. in fact, just the other day, i made him jump through a ring of fire off the turtle dock for a treat. it was the best. yeah..."tee", that's exactly the term what i was thinking. i do tricks to be able to eat, i work. it's not tricky, but i sure as hell dont want to do it! anyways, i hear everything ur all saying, and maybe all he cares about is the food. but, he doesnt seem so shy. so maybe i should stop playing cliffhanger? much love, later...

[untsmurf]

We are just trying to inform you on how to best care for your turtle and I for one do not appreciate the attitude.

[marisa]

Pluck007, I'm not sure what you mean by playing cliffhanger, but if you mean stop feeding him that way, then yes, I'd stop it. It sounds like you care about him, take good care of him and treat him like a turtle.

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