my RES is not eating and is scared of me

Question
QUESTION: Hello I got my RES as a birthday present last week, I am worried because it is not eating, from what they told me they got it from one of the big pet stores and they were told the turtle was around 7 years old, and was in a tank with 4 or more turtles,also the turtle seems to be scared to death of me, since it quickly hides when she/he sees me (she/he bit me once when I was cleaning the tank and was carrying her/him) and I'm worried because (I've been doing research) and I found they can die of stress, how can I help her/him to get used to my presence and what can I do of the lack of appetite? I've been giving her lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and recently bought a commercial mark of food... is it because is not used yet to a new environment? I have a heater so the water is kept in the high 70's

ANSWER: Lisa,      This is going to be abit extensive but, we want to cover everything regarding the care and taming of this amazing partially amphibian reptile. Couple of facts real quick. Unless they have had there turtle from a  hatchling there is no way to tell age. If her shell is around 6 inches front to back she is of breeding age which is five years and up. The shell is not an exoskeleton it is part of its bone structure. It is his ribs and invertabral backbone. If you take good care of her she can live up to about thirty years.

         As far as her being timid and biting you she obviously was bred in some breeder place where she had little human contact and the store employees didn't pay attention except to feed or didn't have her long,sad. I have worked and trained for some of these chains and there are never enough people on hand to pay more attention to the animals unfortunately. All creatures need attention and have personality. So its just going to take some time. Patience and persistence Lisa. She has to trust you. Talk to your turtle they are smart they will recognize your voice and face. I take mine out and give her a light scratch on her back both sides of her shell and she kind of sways back and forth she loves it. Though sometimes if things look like food they will try to eat it my niece found out when she tied to kiss Henrietta when I wasn't looking and latched ahold of her lip for a second....awwww. She was fine and turtle didn't mean it.

         Habitat: She needs a baking area big enough for her to completely dry under a UVA light at about 85 to 90 degrees. This also keeps the air temperature of the tank around 76 to 80 degrees. Even though this light has the heat you need your UVB light this is so she grows healthy and has no shell or any other deformities. These guys are very susceptible to MBD (metabolic bone disease) or not producing enough calcium. This light adds the extra ultra violet it doesn't really give off heat but it helps it create more D-3 which in turn turns to calcium. So her little toes don't break very common. Since she is full grown she needs about 12 inches of water to swim in. The water temperature right now since we are nearing November should be brought up to about 77 to 80 degrees if you notice her stop eating or sinking to the bottom alot keep lights on 12 to 14 hrs a day also. This will keep her from hibernating or going into brumation. I would definitely put a regular hanging fish filter on the tank. That basking area most important sweety.

         Feeding: Feed your turtle in a separate container it keeps your tank so much cleaner. Get a dishpan or Rubbermaid container that will fit this purpose. You are going to fill it as close to same temperature as tank to feel thats fine. Deep enough that she can drink while she eats. She does not create saliva and has a fixed tongue so without taking water with food will choke. Usually they poop pretty quick after or during feeding. I take mine to kitchen with me set her on the floor and she follows me to the fridge and to her pan. I don't put her on the carpet where her nails might get stuck. For the next couple weeks feed her in her tank till she gets acclimated to her new environment.

         Food: I make my own its cheaper and healthier. Go and get some greens.I use blanched turnip and mustard and she likes bk choy. I add a layer of albacore tuna for protein. I do use some turtle pellets to make sure she is getting a supplement and calcium powder. I layer frozen mixed veggies and i know her favorite fruits from trial an error. I make a turtle lasagna I guess you can call it make sure last layer is more blanched greens to hold it together. Let it almost freeze then cut into cube you will figure out how big when she or he settles and starts feeding regularly. After it freezes all the way take the cubes out break apart and put into a baggie in freezer so much easier. Keep trying the new foods she may have become picky and hooked on pellets from being unowned for so long. Be diligent. It may take time be patient.

         She may be abit stressed. It is not uncommon for them to go off food for abit in a new environment especially older turtles. Right now not too much handling. Only to feed. Like I said if you notice alot of her hanging at bottom of tank. Raise temp to around 80 and lighting 12 to 14 hrs. She may just be trying to brumate. You are doing fine just be patient with it. You have one of the most interesting reptiles the world has to offer. I imagine you came across how to sex you males have long claws on its front feet and long skinny tails the females have short claws and stubby tails. If you have anymore questions please ask. Good Luck, Tina
         
         






         

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QUESTION: Thank you so much for the info it really helps, just another question.
I think it might be a she indeed, her nails aren't that long they don't reach a 1/2" and her tail seems stubby, her shell is around 3 1/2 inch front to back, so I'm guessing is younger than 5 right? also I taken her out a couple of times, and she starts trying to dig (I think she thinks the carpet is dirt) since her shell is smaller than 6" she cannot have eggs right?

Answer
Lisa,    There are always exceptions to the rules but , I don't think thats what's happening here. I think she likes the carpet...lol just watch her eating the carpet fibers some of them can be toxic give her a quick rinse before returning her home.  She could be about 3years old in my opinion. No she could not be gravid at this age. She is trying to brumate. in the wild she will build almost a beaver dam type enclosure or find a nice log full of very wet leaves near the pond. The thing is these guys like all animals are unpredictable and it could just be her personality while she is trying to acclimate. She shouldn't be able to have eggs yet. Just keep babying her. When you take her out of the tank the temperature goes down and can bring on symptoms of brumation....Thats why you need to raise temp in tank and light for longer. This will stop some of this reaction. Wait abit before you start handling her alot. Let her get used to everything she is very confused right now. Your doing great. I know you want to love her up just give her a week or abit to get used to everything. Unfortunately you were terribly misinformed about her age. Very common in these pet chains. Lets get her eating.....try the albacore tuna first give her abit and see what she does before making the lasagna. They usually love it and it should get her eating. Don't worry this is a reptile thing not uncommon like I told you. Your doing great Lisa....Take your time keep me updated , Good Luck ,  Tina