Why doesn't the red-eared turtle eat in winter? Why is the land turtle lethargic and not eating? How to get a turtle interested in food

Owners often face a problem: their pet is Pond slider– does not eat or eats very little. Most common reasons of this problem are:

illnesses
incorrect content
stress, adaptation to new conditions, getting used to captivity
incorrectly selected diet
puberty in males
the onset of autumn

Let's look at each of the reasons.

The red-eared turtle does not eat or eats little. Why?

Diseases

Unfortunately, red-eared turtles are prone to diseases such as helminthiasis, constipation, pneumonia, etc. A sick reptile usually completely loses its appetite. For example, when the turtle’s eyelids become inflamed, its eyes are closed and it loses all interest in food. If your red-eared turtle eats very little or not at all, and is lethargic and lethargic, especially if there are symptoms such as sneezing and nasal discharge, you should immediately contact a turtle specialist - a veterinary herpetologist. He will help identify the causes of lack of appetite in red-eared cats and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Herpetologists often recommend vitamins to reptiles so that their body receives all the necessary elements.

Improper maintenance, hypothermia or overheating

A comfortable climate is the main condition for the existence of cold-blooded animals, which include the red-eared cat. For normal life it needs a temperature of 26-35° C. To maintain the optimal temperature, ultraviolet and incandescent lamps are used, which must work 12 hours a day.

The turtle refuses food and at the same time is lethargic, floats on the surface of the water, and cannot dive? As a rule, this indicates hypothermia of the body. Check the UV lamp. Perhaps it needs to be replaced? If everything is fine with the lamp, try adding an additional heat source and see how the animal reacts. If the pet’s condition returned to normal and the appetite returned, then hypothermia was indeed the cause of the red-eared cat’s condition. Otherwise, you need to contact your veterinarian. Remember, overheating, as well as hypothermia, is dangerous for a reptile.

Stress, adaptation to new conditions, getting used to captivity

If you have just acquired an animal, it is not surprising that the red-eared turtle does not eat anything. It can adapt to new living conditions for several days. Naturally, the animal is in a stressful state after changes in living conditions and therefore refuses food. Don't worry, give the turtle time to get used to the new environment, water composition and temperature.

Incorrectly selected diet

Sometimes turtle owners, being misinformed, try to feed their pets food that is completely unsuitable for them. In nature, these reptiles feed small fish, aquatic mollusks, crustaceans, insects, etc. They get vitamins and fiber by eating plants. When kept at home, the red-eared cat is fed lean meat and fish, shrimp, squid, snails (all raw). A plant-based menu should consist of lettuce, dandelion, and plantain. It is not recommended to feed fatty meat (pork, lamb), as well as all types of cabbage, tomatoes, legumes, spinach, as they contain substances that interfere with the absorption of calcium in the turtle's body. And, of course, in no case is food from the human table suitable for red ear: boiled and fried food, bread, cheese, cottage cheese, etc. The diet of adult turtles should consist of half animal food and half plant food.

As for young individuals, they may refuse to eat if they are tried to be fed vegetables, fruits or greens. Juvenile turtles prefer mostly. You can find out what to feed small red-eared turtles.

Sexual behavior

If your pet is still active, but has begun to eat little, it is most likely that he has entered mating season. At this time, male red-eared cats become restless and often completely lose their appetite. There is no need to worry; after the mating season ends, your appetite will return to normal.

Autumn period

Although red-eared turtles kept at home, as a rule, do not hibernate, they can respond to the onset of cold weather and shortening daylight hours by decreasing their appetite and activity, while their sleep duration slightly increases.

Now you know the most probable reasons why the red-eared turtle does not eat.

Most often, cats, dogs or dogs are kept in the house. But there are also lovers of exotic animals: parrots, lizards or turtles. Particularly popular are those bought at a pet store, at the market, or brought from distant seas. At correct condition When kept in an aquarium, turtles can live up to fifty years. They are unpretentious, however, before getting such an animal, you should inquire about the conditions of its maintenance. Sometimes the owners of such a turtle are interested in why the red-eared turtle does not eat anything, is lethargic and constantly sleeps.

Causes of poor health of the red-eared turtle

If a red-eared turtle does not eat anything and sleeps almost all the time, then there may be several reasons for this condition. Perhaps this is a consequence of a change of residence, if you recently bought a turtle, or simply changed the water in the aquarium. After a few days, your pet will acclimatize, get used to the new composition of the water and become active again.

With the arrival of autumn sunny days less and the turtle becomes less active during this period. After all, in nature, turtles need hibernation. But at home, the turtle experiences only a slight decrease in its activity. If there are no signs of illness, then this condition will gradually go away in a couple of months with increasing daylight hours. There is no need to create special conditions for hibernation of a freshwater domestic turtle.

However, it happens that the turtle still falls asleep in the fall. Then you need to place it in a box, which should be placed in a damp and cool place until spring. Around mid-March, the red-eared slider should wake up. But if this does not happen, then the owner must wake her up, otherwise the animal may die from prolonged dehydration and starvation. To wake up this “sleeping beauty”, you need to gradually move the box with the turtle to a brighter and warmer place.

If you have purchased a male turtle, then during sexual activity he becomes restless and may abruptly refuse to eat. This condition returns to normal after the mating season has passed.

The owner of a red-eared turtle should know that for feeling normal This cold-blooded animal must maintain a temperature between 26-35°C. After all, a turtle belongs to the class of reptiles that cannot independently maintain body temperature, as happens, for example, in humans or other mammals. So if your turtle is lethargic, take a look at the water thermometer and increase the water temperature if necessary.

Sometimes, especially when turtles are kept in groups, stronger individuals take food from weaker ones. If you notice this, try to feed such turtles separately.

Red-eared turtles are omnivores, but it is better to feed these animals half of plant and meat, but low-fat food. Turtles love fish very much. It is useful to diversify their food with beetles, grasshoppers and even earthworms. For a strong shell, it is useful for turtles to give crushed bone meal. If you do not adhere to such a diet, it can have a bad effect on the animal’s well-being.

In general, aquatic red-eared turtles are poorly adapted to our climate and are therefore susceptible to various diseases: pneumonia, constipation, helminthiasis. For example, a turtle may have inflamed eyelids, it does not want to eat and sits with eyes closed. Or she may experience nasal discharge, sneezing, or bleeding. In any case, you should contact a veterinarian, who will determine the cause of the turtle’s illness and, if necessary, prescribe appropriate treatment.

Nowadays, keeping various exotic animals in your apartment - crocodiles, lizards, snakes, spiders is considered the highest chic... These and other exotic animals attract people with their unusualness. Red-eared turtles are becoming popular all over the world; they are bred on special farms and then sold in pet stores. These animals are kept in aquariums or terrariums. Turtles are one of the most ancient animals. For two hundred million years appearance almost unchanged.

In nature, the red-eared turtle feeds on animal and plant foods.
To avoid mistakes in keeping these animals, you need to know exactly what the red-eared turtle does not eat, and what is especially useful for it. The turtle's diet should be as balanced as possible in terms of nutrient content and calorie content.

If the diet is formulated incorrectly, the turtles will not grow well. A balanced and high-calorie diet for red-eared turtles is one of important conditions correct content. Young turtles are fed animal food. They also eat dried daphnia, bloodworms, tubifex and gammarus, both dried and live.

The young one does not eat meat and fish, that is, what must be given to adult turtles. For meat, it is recommended that adults be given boiled or raw beef or chicken. Some people prefer to feed their pets instead of meat. fatty fish, then you must first keep it in boiling water. Before feeding big fish you need to grind it, removing the bones. The small ones are crushed together with the bones.
Turtles also need vitamins, which are contained in raw liver, shrimp, squid meat and the larvae of various beetles, such as mealy beetles.

Some hobbyists mistakenly believe that the red-eared turtle does not eat live food, or are afraid that it will not be able to catch it on its own. But that's not true. Turtles are excellent at catching live food. Experts even recommend feeding them with live food more often, as this creates conditions that are close to natural.

Adult turtles feed on algae, so in a separate aquarium you need to specially grow plants for feeding, otherwise the reptiles will nibble on the algae and the terrarium will look sloppy. The red-eared turtle does not eat poisonous algae, such as limnophila and elodea. If there is a pond near your house, you can catch duckweed there. You can also collect some other plants. Instead of algae, you can give the animals lettuce or dandelion leaves. Red-eared turtles enjoy eating cucumber or cabbage.

The pet store sells special balanced food for turtles. It is very convenient to feed them, but you need to look at the composition and make sure that they are fresh. It is best to purchase imported food, as they are more balanced, but dry food for cats and dogs should not be given to turtles - they contain substances that do not meet their needs.

It is useful to occasionally give crushed tortoises eggshells and vitamin D. Food should be thrown into water. You need to give so much food that it does not remain in the water, otherwise uneaten pieces of fish or meat will rot very quickly and the water will have to be changed.

To feed red-eared turtles, you can transplant them into another aquarium, but not all animals like this. Young turtles need to be fed once a day, and starting from two years old - every couple of days.

Healthy turtles always a good appetite. The reasons why a red-eared turtle does not eat can be different - the diet has changed, or it is simply not hungry, or maybe it is just sick. In this case, she should be shown to a veterinarian immediately. A turtle may also refuse to eat because it is in a new environment. In this case, you just need to leave it alone for a while.

IN Lately It has become fashionable to keep some exotic animal at home, attracting with its unusualness. Among pet turtle lovers, red-eared (yellow-bellied) turtles kept in terrariums or aquariums are very popular. In order for the animal to feel comfortable and live for many years, you should know how to feed the red-eared turtle and properly care for it.

The animal belongs to the family of freshwater turtles and lives in Central and Southern Europe, South and North America, countries of Southeast Asia.

The red-eared turtle got its name because of its elongated bright red spot, which is located behind her eye. The limbs, neck and head of the animal are light green with white stripes. In young turtles the flat shell is bright green, with age, vertical yellow stripes appear on it. They are especially noticeable when the animal is in the water.

IN good conditions Red-eared turtles live about thirty years. However, when improper care behind it, irresponsible or unprepared owners can greatly shorten the animal's life.

For one animal you need an aquarium with a volume of one hundred to one hundred and fifty liters and land connected to water using a rough ladder. If there is insufficient space, the turtle will not swim or move.

In addition, the following conditions must also be met:

The surface of the land in the turtle's home should be large enough, sloping, rough and gradually rising. Special islands sold in stores meet all the necessary requirements;
The water temperature in the aquarium should be higher than room temperature. To heat it, you should purchase a thermostat;
the air above the island should also be warm, so above it It is recommended to install a lamp incandescent;
the island should be at a level of thirty centimeters from the edge of the aquarium. If it is located close to the edge, nimble pets can escape;
The water is cleaned using external aquarium filters. The frequency of water changes depends on their effectiveness. The cleaner the water in the aquarium, the faster the young turtles will grow;
animals need sunlight, so in the summer you need to walk with them, and in winter irradiate with ultraviolet light. A UV “Tanning Lamp” is suitable for this; it will need to be used three times a week for four minutes at a distance of thirty to fifty centimeters.

During a walk, the animal should be protected from direct sunlight, walking dogs and crows.

What does the red-eared slider eat?

Animals eat pelleted food with pleasure, chopped meat and bloodworms. To prevent your pet from developing a calcium deficiency, boiled fish should be added to its diet from time to time.

Regardless of whether the turtle shows interest in fresh vegetables or not, they should always be given to him. They contain vitamins, calcium and fiber necessary for animals. You can give your pets aquarium plants as greenery.

Vegetable food is especially important for old turtles. Seventy-five percent of their diet should consist of aquarium plants and fresh vegetables. This could be lettuce, plantain, dandelion, duckweed, nettle, pieces of zucchini or cucumber.

You can feed the animal with snails, shrimp, liver, and squid. There is no need to boil the meat.

You cannot feed turtles pork, lamb, crab sticks. Not too often they can be pampered with food insects, mealworms, barkworms, bloodworms, and hamarus.

How often should red-eared pets be fed?

Young turtles that are less than a year old need to be fed artificial food daily. Animals older than one year are fed every other day or two.

Newborn pets should receive fifty percent protein in their food. Most foods intended for turtles meet these requirements.

Adult animals should be given twenty-five percent artificial food, and the remaining percentage in the diet should be occupied by various plants.

In the first days of a red-eared turtle’s life in new conditions, food should be given to it, placing it at the very edge of the water.

Once your pet gets used to it, you can feed it from a bowl on the island.

Please note that the composition and size of artificial feeds differ. Therefore, when purchasing them, you should be guided by what the manufacturers write on the packaging.

Why doesn't the red-eared slider eat?

Turtles are cold-blooded animals, capable of environment and body conditions slow down metabolism. Therefore, adults can go without food for three months. Wherein they use their body's reserves and lose forty percent of their weight. However, fasting your pet for a long enough time can lead to severe exhaustion body and various diseases.

Possible reasons

An animal may refuse food for several reasons:

incorrect content. The main condition for the life of these cold-blooded animals is an ambient temperature of twenty-six to thirty-five degrees. Therefore, if the pet not only does not eat, but also moves little and does not open its eyes, then you should look at the readings of the water thermometer. If the water temperature is within normal limits, then the reason for the turtle’s refusal to eat is something else;
suppression of weak individuals. If there are several red-eared turtles in one aquarium, then the toughest individuals can dominate the weaker ones and take away their food. Therefore, oppressed animals should be fed separately;
poor nutrition. If a young red-eared slider is not eating, it may have been switched to adult food early on. Only after a year can pets be given meat, eggs and fish;
change of season. From October to January turtles begin to respond to shorter days and therefore eat less. Starting in February, after daylight hours begin to increase, pets will begin to eat again;
sexual behavior. If the animal begins to behave more actively, but at the same time eats little, then most likely it is a male. During sexual activity, they suddenly stop eating and become restless. After the mating season is over, the animal's appetite will be restored;
diseases. If, as daylight hours increase and the ambient temperature rises, the turtle refuses to eat, then it needs to be shown to a veterinarian.

During wintering, animals not only do not eat, but also do not drink. This leads to a drop in glucose levels in their body and a lack of vitamins. Toxic elements increase their levels, which can lead to liver or kidney failure.

Another cause of fasting is conjunctivitis. If your pet looks good but still doesn't eat anything, you should have his eyes examined.

Due to improper diet, turtles can develop diabetes or stomatitis.

If a pet refuses food, this does not mean that he is sick. A turtle can also go hungry after stress, weather changes or changes in its environment. In addition, the food offered may not suit them. Anyway need to keep an eye on your exotic pet and, if the hunger strike lasts a long time, then be sure to consult a veterinarian. With proper and careful care, the red-eared turtle will live a long time and delight its owners.

If your turtle refuses to eat, you have reason to be concerned. If an animal does not get enough food, it may suffer from hunger and even become sick. In this article you will learn how to help a turtle eat and what to do if it refuses food. Many turtle owners have problems with feeding. Most often, turtles refuse to eat due to changes in external environment or illnesses. To prevent the turtle from starving, you should change its living conditions, cure the disease in time and show ingenuity when feeding.

Steps

How to understand why a turtle is not eating

Measure the air temperature. Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles. They won't eat if they are too cold. If your land turtle lives at home, arrange warm and cold zones for her in the terrarium. During the day, in the cold part the temperature should be between 20–22 °C, and in the warm part - 29–30 °C. At night, the temperature can be lowered to 15 °C and 23 °C respectively.

The water temperature for waterfowl turtles should be approximately 25 degrees. On the island, the air temperature should remain between 27–29 °C.
If your tortoise lives outside, he will become cold when the temperature drops below 15°C. Install a ceramic heater to keep your turtle warm.
Measure the temperature with a thermometer and adjust it if necessary.

Increase the amount of light. In order for a turtle to eat with appetite, it also needs enough lighting. Waterfowl need ultra-violet rays spectrum A and B. The turtle should be in the light for 12–14 hours and in the dark for 10–12. Land turtles need at least 12 hours of light every day. This can be either sunlight or light from an ultraviolet lamp or incandescent lamp.
- If there is less light, the turtle may refuse to eat.
- If your tortoise lives outdoors, you will need to adjust the lighting according to the season. In autumn and winter it will be necessary to use more artificial light sources, since sunlight there will be less, and in the summer you can refuse them.
Examine your turtle for signs of disease. If your turtle isn't eating and you've made sure the temperature and light are ok, your turtle may be sick. She may have vitamin A deficiency, constipation, infection respiratory tract, eye problems. She may also be pregnant. If your turtle refuses to eat, look for signs of illness and take your pet to the vet if necessary.

Find out if the turtle is hibernating. Some turtles can hibernate during the winter. Even if a turtle lives in comfortable conditions and has access to food, it may decide to hibernate. If you have checked the conditions in which the turtle lives, as well as its physical state and have not found any reason for refusing to eat, show the turtle to the veterinarian. It is possible that she is preparing for hibernation.
- Hibernation exposes the body to stress. Only healthy turtles can hibernate.
- If your veterinarian allows your turtle to hibernate, begin lowering the temperature in the enclosure a few degrees each day. This will help the turtle slow down its metabolism.
- Do not lower the temperature below 10 °C. After 10 weeks, begin to gradually increase your temperature.
- Continue feeding the turtle until it completely refuses to eat.
How to get a turtle interested in food
1. Give your turtle live food. The turtle reacts to movement. She may prefer live food: crickets, worms, snails, larvae, newborn mice. Live food also strong smell, which may attract a turtle.
  - Don't feed your turtle any worms you find in your yard. They may be infected chemicals from the soil. Buy special, clean worms from a pet store or fishing supply store.
  - The turtle can also eat caterpillars, beetles, woodlice, crayfish, flies, grasshoppers, earthworms, and spiders.
2. Mix turtle food with other foods. Dry food is the basis of nutrition for many turtles. Grind the food and mix it with live food to get your pet interested in it. You can soak the food in liquid from canned tuna so that the smell of the food attracts the turtle.
  
  Offer your turtle food in bright colors. The bright color will attract the turtle. Give your pet strawberries, tomatoes, papaya, mango, watermelon, rose petals and other bright vegetables and fruits. Fruits should not be given to your tortoise often, but they can be used to get your tortoise interested in food.
  - To make your turtle eat more readily, mix live food with colored food. The bright color and strong smell will make the food very attractive.
  - Vegetables are healthier than fruits. Try soaking vegetables in canned tuna liquid to make your turtle want to eat them.
3. Change your diet. A turtle may refuse to eat because it doesn't like the food you offer it. Try finely chopping the vegetables and food and mixing them with worm pieces, and the next day offer the mango and food in tuna liquid to your turtle. Your turtle probably has preferences that you should remember.
  - Try keeping a feeding diary and recording how the turtle reacted to the food. This will allow you to find out what the turtle likes best.
  - Try offering food on land and underwater.
4. Feed your turtle early in the morning. Turtles are active early in the morning and prefer to eat then. Many turtles refuse to eat at other times of the day. Try to feed your pet at 4:30–5:30 am or as close to dawn as possible.
  
  Take your turtle to the vet. If your turtle refuses any food and does not respond to changes in its environment, take it to the doctor. Perhaps the turtle is sick, and hunger weakens it even more. The examination will allow you to determine the reason for the turtle’s behavior, and timely treatment will not allow the disease to progress.