My semi-aquatic turtle (a juvenile, probably only 6-8 months

My semi-aquatic turtle (a juvenile, probably only 6-8 months old) has stopped eating and is not very active. He is in an appropriately filtered tank, with a heat lamp and a UV light, with appropriate food, and I'm using a turtle stone in the tank. His appearance seems the same (shell is still hard, eyes appear alert) but we never see him eat the food remains in the tank and he doesn't appear to be as active and mostly sleeps hanging onto some fake plants ont he side). He (or she?) was doing so well and now I am worried. Could it be related to the season or does it sound like some sort of disease. We bought him with a partner who didn't survive but had stopped eating when we first bought the pair. Since this one was so active and always eating, and the other never ate and was so small, we sort of thought that this one was hogging all the food and not letting it's partner get any and that is why it died but now I'm afraid that it is something else. Help! He had been doing so well....Optional Information: Age: 6-8 months; F/M?; Breed: red eared slider, semi-aquatic turtle Already Tried: we tried to change food brands (always juveline or smallest size pellets), tried alternative food (dried shrimp) instead of pellets. Nothing else about environment seems to have changed

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on February 9 2006 at 12:18 AM

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

I don't think it's anything to do with the season, since as far as your turtle is concerned, things are pretty much the same in his/her tank with the heat lamp and UV light.

By the way, if you'd like to know whether your turtle is male or female, go to
http://exoticpets.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=exoticpets&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.austinsturtlepage.com%2FInfo%2Finfo.htm
and that will give you a pretty good idea.

How does he look otherwise? You said his eyes were alert but he sleeps a lot. Do you ever notice any bubbles coming out of his nose when he breaths? That's usually a sign that there is some sort of respiratory problem. When my turtle is basking and something startles him, he pulls his head in really fast and it makes a high pitched squeal when he has been stuffed up. This is another clue if we haven't noticed his nose bubbling. Try keeping an eye on your turtle to see if you notice any signs of respiratory problems.

Another reason why a turtle would stop eating is if it is constipated or impacted. Of course, if he hasn't eaten for a while, he probably hasn't pooped for a while. If you suspect this could be a problem, or want to give this a try since it can't hurt, you can soak your turtle for 30 minutes in warm water that is chin level. Warm is what feels comfortably warm to you and you know won't be too hot for your turtle for 30 minutes.

How long has it been since your turtle has eaten? What kind of food did he eat before, and how active was he?

Why don't you check him carefully for any upper respiratory symptoms. If you don't see anything, try the warm water soak. Let me know after that, and we can see where to go from there.

My semi-aquatic turtle (a juvenile, probably only 6-8 ...

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