Yearling Getting Very Picky

[Rob1985]

Over the last 3 months or so, my one baby box turtle (now a yearling as of September 30th) has gotten very picky about eating. He was eating worms (red wrigglers), meal worms, and wax worms. Then he stopped eating wax worms, and only showed some interest in meal and regular worms, and he wasn't eating them as vigorously as he used to. I've also noticed his weight has been stuck at 47-50 grams for the same time period. Seems like his growth has stopped.

Then that dropped off completely, and the last 2-3 weeks I've only been able to get him to eat Mazuri aquatic turtle pellets. Sometimes he pecks at them, and other times he acts like he's starving and gobbles them up. One positive is that his poop seems to have gotten more solidified since I started feeding him the pellets (since he wouldn't eat anything else).

I've been giving him soaks in warm water for 10-15 minutes twice a day for the last few weeks, but it does not seem to have helped his pickiness/appetite much. I'm also concerned that he might refuse pellets at some time in the future, and then I have no idea what I'm going to feed him.

Any suggestions?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe @DoubleD1996! can advice you.

 

[jeff kushner]

After reading your thread i went to the fridge to see where Matt, our EBT was @1 year. He weighed 70g. We kept monthly records.

Check temps. While Matt goes through food phases much like my kids did, they can't digest food if too cold. Low to mid 80's is a good target temp. The real experts here can help more.

Good luck to your little guy!

 

[EppsDynasty]

The real experts here can help more.

So humble you are. In my opinion this is 1 of the experts.
Temp is the biggest issue with almost every tort issue we are asked about. If your temps are in the correct range maybe a change in your routine or lifestyle? Consistency is very important and some torts just get catywompass when changes are introduced. Just a thought ....I completely understand your desire to get this figured out.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Remember..he can only eat what YOU offer...put him down in front of his food....after a while and he's not eating and he's messed his food all around, pick it up and that's it for today...offer his meal tomorrow at the same time, in the same place and after a while and he's messed the food up and is not eating...remove the messed up food and do the same thing the same way every day. Do this when you are positive his habitat is set up correctly...don't watch him eat...don't allow him to be fussy and do allow him to eat without you watching. Remember, you were a giant predator...now you need to become the Food Goddess...
and we are talking about a box turtle...right? lol

 

[Maggie3fan]

Over the last 3 months or so, my one baby box turtle (now a yearling as of September 30th) has gotten very picky about eating. He was eating worms (red wrigglers), meal worms, and wax worms. Then he stopped eating wax worms, and only showed some interest in meal and regular worms, and he wasn't eating them as vigorously as he used to. I've also noticed his weight has been stuck at 47-50 grams for the same time period. Seems like his growth has stopped.

Then that dropped off completely, and the last 2-3 weeks I've only been able to get him to eat Mazuri aquatic turtle pellets. Sometimes he pecks at them, and other times he acts like he's starving and gobbles them up. One positive is that his poop seems to have gotten more solidified since I started feeding him the pellets (since he wouldn't eat anything else).

I've been giving him soaks in warm water for 10-15 minutes twice a day for the last few weeks, but it does not seem to have helped his pickiness/appetite much. I'm also concerned that he might refuse pellets at some time in the future, and then I have no idea what I'm going to feed him.

Any suggestions?

Do you ever feed fruit? or squash, or bugs, Are you only offering Mazuri or worms? My boxies are crazy about fruit, and different cooked squashes...do you offer anything else...and what do you mean "you soak him twice a day??? Doesn't he have access to soaking and swimming water? Box turtles are semi aquatic...he needs to live with/in water...how is he set up? Is he set up correctly???

 

[jeff kushner]

Lol....want to see something gruesome? Go out and find one of those slimy type slugs....set it 3" in front of your guy and watch the magic happen. He will have slug all over his face.....glazed donut style!

 

[Cgeyer]

Red wrigglers are not usually a highly regarded meal item for our Eastern Box Turtles. Usually, offer nightcrawlers. Started fruits and vegetables at age one. Now that Fall is here, they are brumating.

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Ya, both my boxies will back off on food intake. They prefer SuperWorms (Large Meal Worms) but it gets to a point were they are just not interested. It gets a lil unnerving when they stop eating for extended periods of time but I have been doing this for over 12 years with Bump and a year with Sadie (Both have to be in their 20's or 30's at least), and every year is the same. After a couple of months they will tear int their food, and you will be relieved....