Feeding and Nutrition :: Sebastian Attacking Lettuce

[SebastianMillhouse]

The first few days after I got Sebastian, he wouldn't eat anything. 2 months later, he's just the opposite. He'll eat anything you give him. Lettuce, carrots, grapes, apples, and especially pellets.

Here is a video I took of him devouring a piece of Romaine lettuce this morning. His vicious attack on the lettuce went on until it was completely gone. I stopped recording when he finally decided to take a breath of air.

Click here to watch DSCN0914

[Spookster]

Ours used to not like vegetables much but now she devours any vegetable or fruit you put in her tank. We cut back on her pellets for awhile in order to get her to be more agreeable to eating vegetables. That seemed to do the trick.

[Spookster]

How small is that gravel? If any of that gravel is small enough to fit in their mouth I would remove the gravel. They can and will eat it.

[SebastianMillhouse]

Yes, I am aware of that. Thanks for your concern. Right now the gravel is about the size of his head so it won't be a problem for a while. When I see that he is becoming capable of eating it, I will remove it.

[Spookster]

Just keep in mind that you may not see him eat it even though he is. People often make that mistake and think just because they don't see them eat it that they are not eating it. Also be aware of just how wide they can open their mouths.

[AV]

he's sooooooo cute!!!

[CountryGirl68]

The problem with any gravel is that, although most of the pieces may be larger than the turtle, there are still smaller pieces that the turtle might eat. The gravel in your tank looks like Sebastian may be able to eat it. I'd get rid of it if I were you.

[sQuirtle]

I have gravel too and I want to buy rocks instead. But I don't want the gravel to go to waste since I would have no other use for it. So I was wondering maybe I could cover the layer of gravel with some sort of material (suggestions?) like as if it was a blanket over the gravel, and then put the rocks over it. I dunno if this would work... what do you guys think? I'd like to keep the gravel because as I said, it would be such a waste (the pet store guy told us to buy it and I didn't know how dangerous it would be) + it makes sQuirtle's home look more vibrant hehe.

[sonyj]

sQuirtle, the gravel is a real pain in the butt to clean... I'd chunk it and just count it as a learning experience. When we first got Koopa I had some larger rocks in the tank but they covered the entire bottom just like the gravel would. After noticing how much debris it trapped (which contributes to poor water quality) and having to clean it thoroughly I scrapped it and went with a handful of river rocks. I'm so glad I did.

[missibsu]

I second that. I bought rocks too, and decided that since they weren't in the turtle tank I'd use them in the fish tank. Didn't like them in there either. It was too much work even for those guys. And imagine this, they were in the tank that I breed my small snails in and they were brown rocks. I had to go through the rocks a handful at a time to make sure I got all the snails. Anal I know, but I couldn't stand the thought of a snail not making it because I was too lazy...lessons learned!

[cprcheetah]

Oh my goodness! What a cute little fella! That was so cute. I LOVE watching Zeke eat his food. It was so much fun to watch him chase his fishies too.

[Pokey's Grandpa]

I am trying to download Quicktime so I can see it. Please tell me that is what I need to see it? I have Windows' newest media player already...

[Pokey's Grandpa]

Alright! It downloaded and it's totally awesome! Your turtle seems vicious! Better believe Sebastian will be ready in the event Alien Lettuce Monsters invade the Earth!

[iris]

Is it alright to put in marbly-pebbles? Like the ones you put in fish tanks. It sort of reflects light, and I'm not sure if it'll hurt his eyes. But it's very pretty to look at.
And Sebastian is very cute (: What a vicious little turtle.

[steve]

If they're made of glass, then I would say no. Larger river rocks are good to use, looks nice and will last a very long time.