Is it normal for turtles to go days without eating?

[flyingpenguin]

I have 2 baby Mississippi map turtles, I moved them to a bigger tank 3-4 weeks ago and they were fine. However, this is the 3rd day that I cannot get 1 of them to eat anything. I've tried his pellets, dried shrimp, dried worms, and soaking food in tuna. I even tried taking him out of the tank and putting him in a separate bowl of water, but nothing. He's acting fine otherwise, swimming/basking, but I'm starting to get concerned.
Thanks

 

[MichaelL]

What about live food? I've heard earthworms almost always work. If they are still not eating with the live food, idk. Maybe someone else recognizes a problem.

 

[KarenSoCal]

@Toddrickfl1
@turtlesteve
@turtlesailor

 

[turtlesteve]

Well back when I kept map turtles, raw shrimp or raw mussels/clams were favorites. I never fed mine live earthworms but it’s worth a try. Three days is not all that long, I would not be hugely concerned unless that turtle shows other signs of illness or odd behavior. Some questions:

What is your water temp?
Air temp at basking area?
What kind of basking light do you have?
Was there a drop in water temperature when you moved them?

 

[flyingpenguin]

Well back when I kept map turtles, raw shrimp or raw mussels/clams were favorites. I never fed mine live earthworms but it’s worth a try. Three days is not all that long, I would not be hugely concerned unless that turtle shows other signs of illness or odd behavior. Some questions:

What is your water temp?
Air temp at basking area?
What kind of basking light do you have?
Was there a drop in water temperature when you moved them?

Hes’s not acting strange other than the not showing interest in food.
Water temp is 78 degrees
Air temp fluctuates between 74-75
Basking temp is 88
There wasn’t a huge drop when I moved them, it went down to 76 for about a day until I adjusted the heater

 

[Toddrickfl1]

I don't have any experience with Map turtles so I'm probably not much help. A couple days not eating is not that long though but there has to be a reason. Are you sure your temperature hasn't dropped any? I would also recommend live food. Maybe humanely euthanize a comet goldfish and offer that.

 

[turtlesteve]

Hes’s not acting strange other than the not showing interest in food.
Water temp is 78 degrees
Air temp fluctuates between 74-75
Basking temp is 88
There wasn’t a huge drop when I moved them, it went down to 76 for about a day until I adjusted the heater

All of this sounds fine to me. Keep offering different foods and give it a couple days. I would not be that alarmed unless you see other symptoms develop. It wouldn’t hurt to notch the water temp up to 80 and see if it makes a difference, but high 70’s shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

If they're baby turtles, it shouldn't be because somebody is looking to lay eggs or anything like that.

@Markw84

 

[Markw84]

How young are they? Newly hatched turtles can be difficult to get started eating properly. I always keep my babies in a very small 5 gal tank with water just deep enough so they can still stand on hind legs and stretch their heads to the surface. I also put in plenty of fake plastic plant and some live water lettuce for security/hiding. I leave the bottom bare so food is easy to find. Many babies like the maps, take a while to start eating. Live food is definitely a stimulus so the wiggling of a live bloodworm is my favorite starting food. I add some good pellets - really like the reptomin baby formula - and wait to see them start to take that. Zoo Med also has a hatchling formula that is a very small pellet. I leave them in that tank until I see they are eating well, and can see the first signs of new growth seams. If you transition them to a bigger tank before they are eating well they can an will, sometimes, starve to death.

A picture of the babies would help and your setup they are in.

Here's a picture of the starter tank I use. Right now there is a clutch of spotted turtles hiding in there that hatched 4 days ago.

 

[flyingpenguin]

How young are they? Newly hatched turtles can be difficult to get started eating properly. I always keep my babies in a very small 5 gal tank with water just deep enough so they can still stand on hind legs and stretch their heads to the surface. I also put in plenty of fake plastic plant and some live water lettuce for security/hiding. I leave the bottom bare so food is easy to find. Many babies like the maps, take a while to start eating. Live food is definitely a stimulus so the wiggling of a live bloodworm is my favorite starting food. I add some good pellets - really like the reptomin baby formula - and wait to see them start to take that. Zoo Med also has a hatchling formula that is a very small pellet. I leave them in that tank until I see they are eating well, and can see the first signs of new growth seams. If you transition them to a bigger tank before they are eating well they can an will, sometimes, starve to death.

A picture of the babies would help and your setup they are in.

Here's a picture of the starter tank I use. Right now there is a clutch of spotted turtles hiding in there that hatched 4 days ago.

View attachment 300552

They are only about 6 months old. I give them the Reptomin baby formula. One is eating really well, the other was when I first got them, but just quit. I did get him to eat a couple pellets last night and a piece of shrimp, but it took him about 30 minutes. He even used to love romaine lettuce, but won't touch it now. Also I noticed last night that at times, he's going facedown (like in the first picture), but if you make a noise or he sees you immediately goes back straight (like the second picture). I don't know if that's relevant or normal behavior. But I also included a picture of my setup.
Thank you for your help!