All Turtles Message Board

brinn1018 · Level 1 Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 6

My son just got two new red earred sliders as a gift from Grandma and they haven't eaten since we got them on Wednesday. I don't know how old they are, but they are pretty small (around the size of a quarter). I've tried feeding them the pellets and the sticks both of which our older red earred slider loves. I'm getting concerned because all they seem to do is sleep. Please help before these little guys die!! :?:

dixieee · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 3:20 pm Post subject:

new hatchlings usually don't eat for a period that can reach up to 2 weeks so this is normal only IF they are not basking too bcz they're scared..u said all they do is sleep,,do they sleep like in a hiding place?? did u notice any other things like soft shell, swollen eyes..?

u mentioned that u already have turtles so it shouldn't be a setup-related problem (heaters, lights,..) cz i suppose u have them all

try smelly foods with the babies like cooked chicken or tuna fish..if they don't respond at all and are only sleeping, something might be wrong..i hope they are just being lazy though

good luck and keep us posted
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject:

Yeah, baby turtles get freaked out pretty easy, especially if their surroundings change dramatically all of a sudden, so be patient and keep offering them food, when they get hungry enough they will eat, and also give them some privacy so they feel safe enough to come out and eat. Very Happy

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brinn1018 · Level 1 Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 6

They are not basking much - they seem to stay in the water (their shells seem normal). The eyes don't seem swollen but the lids are pretty transparent.

dixieee · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject:

so they are scared..give them some time and they'll be ok..it's just bcz of the new environment Smile

good luck
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

brinn1018 · Level 1 Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 6

One seem to be acclimating because she is swimming around and is altogether more active. I tried dipping the sticks in tuna water, but they didn't bite. I even tried giving them tuna. I guess I'll keep trying everyday.

dixieee · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 7:09 am Post subject:

u'll have to be patient (just like feeding babies)..this is the hardest part of getting a new turtle but once they take their first bites u'll forget all the hard times Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

turtlehelper123 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 8

My sliders are about 1yr old and 4mo ever since I got them. there was a small one and a big one. soon the small one kept eating and grew bigger than the big one Sad

the big one still NEVER eats!!!!

dixieee · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject:

never ate since 4 months?? are u sure he's not getting anything?
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

turtlehelper123 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 8

I'm PRETTY sure because everytime I leave food in there the food is still in there. Sad

turtlehelper123 · Level 1 Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 8

Okay then I guess I will try dipping the pellets in tuna juce ( lets see if i have any) Very Happy

dixieee · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2005 4:44 am Post subject:

this one has to work..good luck and tell us what happens
_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

brinn1018 · Level 1 Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 6

You were right! They started eating after about a week. We even got two more turtles. He now has five!

dixieee · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 7:02 am Post subject:

cool glad they're adapting that fast Very Happy

good luck with the space Laughing

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

STRAYKINGFISHER · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:22 pm Post subject:

Nice to hear that your turtles are finally comfortable enough to eat. (whew) Very Happy

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