General Care Discussion :: My baby turtle cant eat!!

[HelpMeHesdying]

I have 2 baby RES turtles and one is growing a lot, but the other one is small and doesnt eat. Whenever he tries to eat, the bites in the water in front of him, and he gets discouraged and doesn't eat. It seems like he has an eye problem or something and he cant judge how far the food is. Bubbles come out of his mouth when he bites into the water. I already made the food really small, and he still can't eat! What should i do?? It has already been 4 months, and I still haven't seen him eat! But then again, how long can an RES turtle live without food??

[steve]

Can he swim properly? This might be neurological.

[HelpMeHesdying]

Can he swim properly? This might be neurological.

Yes he swims normally

[steve]

Try something he loves, like live prey. Also, if you know how he misses, try to compensate for the space when he takes a bite.

[HelpMeHesdying]

Try something he loves, like live prey. Also, if you know how he misses, try to compensate for the space when he takes a bite.

ok
but how long can a baby res turtle live without food?

[steve]

Very young... about a week-10 days, and a bit longer if they are older/bigger.

[HelpMeHesdying]

Very young... about a week-10 days, and a bit longer if they are older/bigger.

also, his shell and his plastron is soft! Should it be soft?

[steve]

It should only be slightly pliable.

[HelpMeHesdying]

It should only be slightly pliable.

should the pastron feel a little squisy when i press on it?

[HelpMeHesdying]

my turtles skin is also very dark even though hes a baby,
does that mean he's depressed or sick?

[steve]

I don't know if I would describe it as squishy. I'm not sure about the color of the skin, can you post a picture?

[HelpMeHesdying]

I don't know if I would describe it as squishy. I'm not sure about the color of the skin, can you post a picture?

It seems as though he doesn't have enough bite to eat the food. I've noticed when he wants to eat something, he tries biting it but can barley open his mouth. I took a video of it doing that, and I paused the video and it actually showed him trying to eat the food with his mouth closed!!
I feel his health is going down fast

[HelpMeHesdying]

help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[herpin'hippie]

Your best and most immediate source of help is going to be your local herp vet. Based on everything you've described it sounds like it's time to make a trip tomorrow for a turtle checkup.

This thread has several ways to locate the vet nearest you. Please keep us updated on the little ones progress!

[HelpMeHesdying]

Your best and most immediate source of help is going to be your local herp vet. Based on everything you've described it sounds like it's time to make a trip tomorrow for a turtle checkup.

This thread has several ways to locate the vet nearest you. Please keep us updated on the little ones progress!

my parents wont take me