Help – our two hatchlings won’t eat (new to the group)
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Help!! Hatchlings not eating! First the back story We (my daughter and I) came across two DBT hatchlings on the beach here in Ocean City MD the day after hurricane Sandy blew thru. I think they were washed out to sea through the inlet. It was 35F degrees out that night and I found the barely moving hatchlings about 100 feet apart on the surf line. Put them in my hand and held that in my pocket to warm them up. They started becoming more active. Tried calling local DNR officials, but got no help, no direction. Went to local Petco where we got them IDed as DBT and some basics like warmth, basking light, clean water, hatchling food. Bought basic setup as shown below. The setup thus far; 5.5 gallon tank, distilled water, two gallons approx. Floating dock and corner rock for basking 40 watt basking lamp (blue bulb) pointed down on one of the rocks about 10 inches away Submerged heater that keeps water at 78-80F (verified this) No filter, changing water completely every 3 days Both hatchlings are about 1 inch in carapace length, seem active and alert, but will not eat. Have tried the following; bloodworms (thawed) Silverside (thawed) Live small crickets Live small (half inch long) mealworms Reptomin Baby sticks ZooMed turtle treats (krill) ZooMed Hatchling formula All feeding has been done in a seperate 4×4″ container with about 1/8″ to 1/4″ of water. The hatchlings were found on 10/30, it is 11/08 today, so 10 days and not eating. We are getting really worried If there is someone nearby to Berlin or Ocean City Maryland, I would be happy to meet. Can also send pictures if anyone wants. They are SO cute. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Andy
Help!! Hatchlings not eating! First the back story We (my daughter and I) came across two DBT hatchlings on the beach here in Ocean City MD the day after hurricane Sandy blew thru. I think they were washed out to sea through the inlet. It was 35F degrees out that night and I found the barely moving hatchlings about 100 feet apart on the surf line. Put them in my hand and held that in my pocket to warm them up. They started becoming more active. Tried calling local DNR officials, but got no help, no direction. Went to local Petco where we got them IDed as DBT and some basics like warmth, basking light, clean water, hatchling food. Bought basic setup as shown below. The setup thus far; 5.5 gallon tank, distilled water, two gallons approx. Floating dock and corner rock for basking 40 watt basking lamp (blue bulb) pointed down on one of the rocks about 10 inches away Submerged heater that keeps water at 78-80F (verified this) No filter, changing water completely every 3 days Both hatchlings are about 1 inch in carapace length, seem active and alert, but will not eat. Have tried the following; bloodworms (thawed) Silverside (thawed) Live small crickets Live small (half inch long) mealworms Reptomin Baby sticks ZooMed turtle treats (krill) ZooMed Hatchling formula All feeding has been done in a seperate 4×4″ container with about 1/8″ to 1/4″ of water. The hatchlings were found on 10/30, it is 11/08 today, so 10 days and not eating. We are getting really worried If there is someone nearby to Berlin or Ocean City Maryland, I would be happy to meet. Can also send pictures if anyone wants. They are SO cute. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Andy
DBTs in the wild live in brackish waters, meaning semi salted. So if these are wild turtles and you put them in fresh water, this could have something to do with it. Also I recently got a 3 month old DBT and it took him days to eat for me as well. And they won’t eat a whole lot when they do start eating. Mine really likes krill, mealworms, and carrots(make sure they ae like slivers). From: thermalandySent: 11/8/2012 11:03 PMTo: diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.comSubject: [diamondbackterrapins] Help – our two hatchlings won’t eat (new to the group) Help!! Hatchlings not eating! First the back story We (my daughter and I) came across two DBT hatchlings on the beach here in Ocean City MD the day after hurricane Sandy blew thru. I think they were washed out to sea through the inlet. It was 35F degrees out that night and I found the barely moving hatchlings about 100 feet apart on the surf line. Put them in my hand and held that in my pocket to warm them up. They started becoming more active. Tried calling local DNR officials, but got no help, no direction. Went to local Petco where we got them IDed as DBT and some basics like warmth, basking light, clean water, hatchling food. Bought basic setup as shown below. The setup thus far; 5.5 gallon tank, distilled water, two gallons approx. Floating dock and corner rock for basking 40 watt basking lamp (blue bulb) pointed down on one of the rocks about 10 inches away Submerged heater that keeps water at 78-80F (verified this) No filter, changing water completely every 3 days Both hatchlings are about 1 inch in carapace length, seem active and alert, but will not eat. Have tried the following; bloodworms (thawed) Silverside (thawed) Live small crickets Live small (half inch long) mealworms Reptomin Baby sticks ZooMed turtle treats (krill) ZooMed Hatchling formula All feeding has been done in a seperate 4×4″ container with about 1/8″ to 1/4″ of water. The hatchlings were found on 10/30, it is 11/08 today, so 10 days and not eating. We are getting really worried If there is someone nearby to Berlin or Ocean City Maryland, I would be happy to meet. Can also send pictures if anyone wants. They are SO cute. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Andy
It indeed may take them a few days to acclimate and apparently they have been through a pretty good shock. It is possible that bc they are so tiny that they still are absorbing their yolk sacs. Keep up your efforts with heat, light, food etc. They will probably come around and start eating. Bob W Sugar Land, TX From: thermalandy
Aimee, I know that DBT are ok for up to 6 months of not eating or eating very very little. That being said, You should start your care of these little beauties with getting a filter Cheapy one and a 10 – 15 gallon tank from walmart is just fine as well as a water heater that brings the water up to 82-85 degrees. Then all the foods you listed below will be eaten up in the up coming months. DBTs are very adaptable when they are very little. They like slightly salty water – a few granduals of sea salt – and hiding places, shells are great, or rocks they can climb up on and under. You can try putting a few tiny drops of listereen in the water to begin with, this will help with any bacteria they may have picked up (vet recommeded this to me on my little guys) One they are warm and feel safe they will start eating. Let me know if this helps Regards Michele If you can’t change your latitued change your attitude From: Aimee Stence
Acclimating wild caught diamondback terrapins is very difficult and usually ends in their death. The tank you have them in is way to small. It will cost you at least $300 for a proper set up and they will out grow that in the first two years. The turtles will live for 30-50 years and will eventually need a 150 gal tank Minimal. Last it is Illegal in Maryland to take these turtles from the wild. The best thing you can do is release them and buy captive bread turtles if you want one! I do know a teacher that does the head start program for terrapins who may be able to take them. She keeps them for winter then releases them in spring. This would be their best chance for there survival next to releasing them. I know your heart was in the right place but think of the turtles. If everyone took one from the wild there will eventually be none to see. If you keep them please do research a lot of research. Good luckScot PerronSenior Loan OfficerService 1st Mortgage Inc.1-800-536-4801410-533-3526Scots1m@…NMLS# 117669
10 days isn’t very long for a WC hatchling to start eating. You are trying the right food. I would bump the water temperature up to 82F and make sure you have a basking light on for 12 hours a day. Also I would try feeding them in there tank until they get bigger. I would change the water every day using tap water. Distilled water isn’t the best water for them. Your tank is certainly only going to last you a couple of months. ThanksJonathanwww.diamondbackterrapin.comDiamondback Terrapin World
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