Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Baby snappers, why won't they eat?

Over the last few days I've been watching seven snapping turtle eggs hatch. The two oldest have lost there yolk sacs and umbilicals but won't eat above or below water. I've given them worms, pieces of raw shrimp and pet store turtle food. Any ideas? RScott
Answers:
Try nursing, but be careful, they can hurt
Try frozen beef heart. They sell it at most petshops and turtles go crazy for it. I'd also try some live foods like small feeder fish or crickets. The movement of the prey my get their appetites going more than a piece of raw shrimp floating around. Avoid commercial turtle food. It is made from mostly grain and not at all nutritious. Also you may want to try to heat up their water with a heater. Turtles are cold blooded and the added temperature might get them going. Finally if its obvious that they won't take food in captivity set them free if you know where they came from. Do it before they get too weak to fend for themselves. Good Luck!!
Did you try giving them some bees. It's a thought.
Are they in the wild or in an aquarium?
If aquarium check water pH. Are they night feeders? Do they need complete darkness to feed?
If in wild, maybe it has to do with moon cycles. It's no moon now, quite dark, are they night feeders? maybe they need something that moves and is bright and sparkly to eat that hasn't hatched yet..
Just grabbing at straws here.

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