General Care Discussion :: New RES owner...Am I doing it right?

[tara.u]

We bought Shelly Saturday from a local pet store. We live in San Francisco, where the weather is constant year round: 50's to 60's. We bought her the Zilla Aquatic Turtle Kit from Petco, and that's all we've been using. The first 2 days were spent scratching at one corner of the tank (near filter). The following days have been spent hiding under the dock, coming up for air once in a while, and swimming rarely. She has not eaten at all since we got her. We throw in the tank pellets and romaine lettuce, but she doesn't even investigate.

What is going on with her? Am I doing it right?

[Kozakura]

How are you measuring temperature?
What temperature is the water?
What temperature is the basking area?
How big is the turtle?
Do you provide a natural light cycle?

This kit? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=4070850

I'm fairly new at RES but this kit looks like a load of crap tbh. I'd get your money back. Doing the math, your turtle is at least 4 inches, that's the minimum size they can be sold at. Every turtle care sheet that i've seen says 10 gallons per in. The kits tank is thirty gallons and therefore is short at least 10 gallons.

[tara.u]

Yes, the kit is a load of crap. I do realize that, but I could not return it unfortunately. The thing weighs a ton. And I have no mode of transportation. It was a really ugly hassle just getting it to the apartment.

I have right above the tank the fluorescent (UVB) bulb and day light bulb.

The temperatures are unknown. I ordered the thermometer on Amazon, and it should arrive soon.

In the state of California, turtles cannot be sold under 6 inches. Shelly is approximately 6 inches.

I have been providing a natural light cycle, or trying to. I might have missed a couple days.

[ljapa]

Does that kit have a heater? Since turtles are cold blooded, temp will affect activity.

However, given that I also started out with am inadequate kit system, I'm going to assume it does.

It's possible all is fine and your turtle, like many, does not like change. You'll find tons of posts here where changes in basking platforms or moves to new tanks resulted in turtles acting like yours. At six inches a week without food or basking is not going to be an issue. So, it's quite possible all is normal.

It might be time to try some more enticing treats to encourage eating and this increase the comfort level in the new digs. You can soak pellets in the water from a can of tuna. You could try freeze dried shrimp.

Unless there are other signs of concern, I'd go with the assumption that you have a typical RES who does not like change and just needs to realize that the new situation is actually ok.

[Kansasslider]

The tank you bought is not designed to hold a lot of water. Probably came with a warning on it. A turtle that size really needs a tank 60 gallons or bigger. As far as not eating. Its in relocation shock that will wear off.

[steve]

Plus that tank has its side cut out, leaving you with only about 15 gallons of water. A heater is fairly important. What kind of pellets are you using? Have you looked into live prey?

[tara.u]

Thank you for the replies.

Yes, I believe this tank is for small turtles, hence the term "starter kit." And as the turtle gets larger, the tank must become larger as well. We did not learn this til later, too late. What negative effects could this have on a turtle?

Yes, I understand she might be in relocation shock. But when SHOULD it wear off?

How long can they go without eating without affecting its organs?

I am only using the pellets the kit came with. What live prey do you recommend to start her off at?

[steve]

The turtle will likely outgrow the tank at some point. Unfortunately you are already stuck with a tank that is too small. Yes, the turtle should get used to you. Try not to change her surroundings too often. How long they can go without eating depends on age, health and weather conditions. You can try feeder minnows but also look into different pellets as well.

[tara.u]

An update: Shelly is now basking in the sun (day light bulb with UVB bulb) for hours on a daily basis. But she is still not eating. We have tried minnows, carrots, romaine lettuce, stick pellets, and round pellets. We put them in the water in the tank, and she will try once to bite it, but if it slips away from her mouth just once, she instantly gives up. It has been almost 2 weeks now...

[tara.u]

She ate stick pellets. I dropped them right on top of her under water, and she took to them. For some reason, this forum brings me good luck the following day. This thread is finished.

[Kansasslider]

Now don't be like that. We are here to help.

[tara.u]

No, no I'm saying this forum has brought me good luck. The very next day my problems are solved. Thanks in part to the wonderful advice people have given me here.

[Kansasslider]

Lol.

[steve]

Glad to know she's doing better.