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So I was given a RES on Sunday. Since that time, I have tried feeding him lettuce and turtle food but he won't eat them. What's more, today, he seems to be sleeping the whole time and I thought he was dead so I had to picked him up just to made sure. I don't know what to do. Thanks.

Mine didn't eat like that also when I first got them. They didn't eat for over a week. I think it takes time for them to get use to their new environment. The water temperature could be the reason for sleeping all the time. What temp is the water? Mine didn't sleep all the time but we had a heater in their tank. But I am new at this also and I am sure someone more experienced may correct me on this.

Sleeping all the time isn't normal, especially for a new turtle. Lethargy is often a sign of illness. If the water is too cold, that could be a reason too. Tell us more about the turtle and the setup you have it in. How big is the turtle, what are the water and basking temps, how big is the tank, all that good stuff.

The turtle is about 3 inches in a 10 gallon tank. I have a 50W plant light shining on the tank. I know that I should at least have a 20 gallon tank but I think mine is adequate if there is only 1 turtle.


There is no underwater heater. I'm not sure about getting one or not. I mean, in the wild, the water is not 80F. Not sure why the tank's water has to be warmed. The water right now is 70F. Although I'm not sure how accurate the thermometer is.

If you want optimal health for your turtle, then get a heater for the guy.

although some turtles can survive in unheated water, Red Ear Sliders are native to HOT regions such as Florida where water is naturally warmed up about 80* by the sun. it is best to provide your RES a habitat that closely mimics their natural habitat.

I didn't think I needed a heater, either. when I first got my turtle (like yours) I had to heater so it slept all the time and it wouldn't eat. right after I got the heater, it started swimming a lot and eating too.

how long can turtles go without eating?

i have 2 RES that are about 2 inches long.

@jensenn
My turtle didn't eat for close to a month and it was a little more than 1". However,
that's because of illness, new habitat, new food, etc. Not eating for days is
generally not a good sign. Find out what's going on soon.

thanks kemul

my friend just gave them to me a few days ago. so im guessing its the new environment and being that it is winter. my friend told me not to worry but im pretty new to this so its hard not to.

but thanks again.

For new hatchlings, I recommend that you get a stable setup done immediately and offer your turtle a lot of privacy. Keep offering food and check to make sure it eats and adjusts.

The 50 watt plant light sounds like it may be flourescent? If so, it's not providing any real warmth. Your turtle needs a UVB light and a light for a heat source above the basking area (can be a regular light bulb). A range of 88-90F for the basking area is good.

If he was in substandard conditions before you got him, a little extra warmth for the time being wouldn't hurt (if he's coming down with something, the added warmth will help his immune system fight it). Get a submersible water heater and set it at 78F for now. See if the warmth doesn't make him more active and give him a better appetite. Also get a thermometer you can trust. They're not expensive.

At first i tried a 65 watt plant light in a clamp work light -the kind with reflector and the flood type bulb produced ALOT of heat. way too much for what he needed. so I threw in a 65 watt standard incandescent bulb and its alot easier to regulate the temperature. If you have one around your house, you could use a heating pad under the tank but make sure its only on low and monitor the water temp alot. if it gets a little too hot on low you can put a towel or two in between to help cool it off. being 3 inches i would probably start saving up for a new tank at least 30 gallons, but more would be better. petsmart has 20% off aquariums with the petperks card where i live right now. (not the credit card just the discount card). i'm not sure if its nationwide or not. Or if you dont want to buy new you can always try your local classifieds or craigslist and find somebody that is upgrading, etc and will get rid of their nice tank cheap. -the good thing about that is they usually will give you all their other stuff with it like filter, heater, etc..