Feeding and Nutrition :: Sad Turtle

[larqw]

I don't know what's wrong with my RES, she seems very sad and won't eat her turtle food. The only time she eats is when I slip her pieces of ham or small pieces of chicken. I hope this isn't bad for her - I just don't want her to starve. I have seen her yawn and she appears weak after not having anything to eat for a while. Please, any suggestions or answers?
Is it likely that during winter times RES turtles don't eat as much?:? Because this happens every time it approaches winter - sort of like a "hibernation."

[RAN1]

ham and chicken is bad for res, its too much protein

do you have uva and uvb bulbs? if not, you need them for your turtle

also do you have submersible heater for your turtle?

res should be fed vegetables on a daily basis aswell

[Starchick]

The first thing that comes to mind is your water temperature. It should be around 76 for an adult, 78 for a hatchling. If your turtle is lethargic and yawning, you might want to bump it up a few degrees. Water that's too cool will definitely stop a turtle from eating, warmth speeds up their body processes and helps them digest. If they aren't warm enough food just rots in their tummies and they won't want to eat any more. Check your temps and let us know. Have you tried offering only pellets for a while? Does she always refuse them? If so, try soaking them in tuna juice, as that usually makes them more appealing and is at least healthier than ham. Chicken isn't nearly as bad, but too much of any kind of protein isn't great for them. Let us know about the temperature, that's the first thing to check.

[larqw]

Thank you!!
I am embarrassed to say that I have been very ignorant, up until now, of the proper care for her. I have her in a tank isn't filled with water - it's a little more that her height so she gets to swim a little and she has no lighting or anything. She's in a spot where the sun always shines - she usually climbs up on her rock and stretches out in the sun. She loves playing with her rocks... I will take in all that you've said. THANKS AGAIN!!

[Starchick]

Don't worry, many of us had no idea what our turtles needed until we found this site. I know about the temperature thing because the same thing happened to my Napoleon, almost exactly a year ago, he just stopped eating, and it turned out it was because it was getting cooler out and I didn't have a water heater. If you haven't already, I recommend just sitting down with the main site and reading it straight through, it'll tell you pretty much everything you need to know, then you can come back to the forum for help with any questions! Good luck!

[larqw]

thank you...I will do that!

[spyder85]

I did the same thing when my husband surprised me with my RES's.
a small tank with just enough water to get half way covered.
but now Shreader and Franklin are living the high life! i just upgraded to a 25 gallon tank and a uv hood.
Now I just need to figure a way to keep the cat away!

[larqw]

hahaha, yeah because cats eat turtles!
Umm, I got her the lights and she likes to see on her rock and bask under it for like hours almost, but her shell gets really dry...is that okay?

[larqw]

I have also began feeding her tuna fish in water, how long can I continue that? She really loves it and refuses to eat her Turtle Pellets EVEN when I mix it up with the tuna.

[N4784N R4613]

Yes, a cat will do some damage to a turtle. Basking for long periods of time is a good thing. It means you found your RES's "sweet spot." The shell must dry COMPLETELY in order to prevent shell rot. As long as he basks with his mouth shut, it is fine. About the tuna, to much isn't really healthy, and he needs the nutrients in the pellets to grow at a safe rate. Now that he is "on" tuna, it is going to take so tough love to get him back on his pellets. Start offering him pellets first, and the give him smaller, and smaller amounts of tuna, until you cut it off, and only give him pellets. He may not eat the pellets for three days, after you cut the tuna off, at which point you should give him something that he will eat(even it is is tuna again).

Good luck!!

[larqw]

Thank you!