The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) is popular among experienced reptile lovers. These turtles are opportunistic foragers, and much to the surprise of many first-time owners, they tend to always appear hungry!
However, at times, a pet slider can occasionally stop consuming their regular meals, which can be extremely concerning to the owner. It can be challenging to figure out why your pet has suddenly ceased eating.
There are several different reasons for your pet’s inappetence, and we list them here so you can see if any fit with your turtle’s behavior.
Unless your pet turtle is about to undergo a planned brumation, their refusal to eat should never be considered normal, and it always requires veterinary attention. Although this list might help you get a better understanding of your turtle’s refusal to eat, it is not a substitute for a vet’s examination of your pet.
The 5 Reasons Your Red-Eared Slider Is Not Eating
1. Temperature
Your red-eared slider turtle is a cold-blooded animal, so temperature affects their metabolism. As the temperature drops, their metabolism drops, and they will slowly stop eating if the temperature continues to drop. You will also notice your turtle slowing down and becoming less active. When the temperature goes back up, the turtle’s appetite usually returns, and they will become more active.
No matter where you keep your turtle, it’s important to maintain a close eye on the temperature in their habitat. Even indoors, the tank can be in the path of a draft that puts cold air in the tank and slows your red-eared slider’s metabolism. Checking the temperature frequently or purchasing one with an alarm is the best way to make sure the temperature never drops below acceptable levels.
Your red-ear slider’s enclosure should be maintained between 72°F and 81°F (22°C and 27°C).1 The temperature of their basking spot should be approximately 90°F (around 32°C), whereas nighttime temperatures should not fall below 63°F (17°C).
2. Underlying Health Issues
One of the expected signs of health issues in sliders is a sudden lack of appetite. This can be due to a number of possible illnesses, ranging from a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract to internal parasites or an organ issue, none of which you can determine by simply looking at your pet. As a general rule, if your turtle is in an environment with the correct temperature and stops eating, they require prompt veterinary care.
3. Mating Season
During the spring, healthy adult sliders have their reproductive cycles triggered and may attempt to mate. If you house multiple turtles together, you might notice the males spending less time eating and more time chasing the females. Likewise, the females interested in laying eggs will initially eat more but will slowly reduce the time they spend eating as they find suitable places to lay their eggs.
Please be mindful of the fact that a female turtle can lay eggs in the absence of a male (though these will not be fertile and therefore, won’t hatch). Therefore, your pet may exhibit this behavior even if she lives alone.
4. Impaction
When placed in an aquarium with substrate, your turtle may at times pick up the substrate, and if it’s small enough, they may ingest it. Fine substrate in small amounts, such as sand, isn’t usually a cause for concern and often passes naturally. However, large amounts of coarse substrate, such as gravel or pebbles, can lead to a blockage along their digestive tract, also known as impaction. An impacted pet turtle may refuse to eat and requires veterinary care.
5. Brumation
Many turtles have a built-in mechanism to sleep through the winter, which they will typically do. One of the first signs of a turtle going into brumation (similar to hibernation) is inappetence, and if you think this could be the case with your pet, we recommend carefully taking them to the veterinarian to have them looked over. The vet should tell you if they’re starting to brumate and what to expect during this period.
While your red-eared slider turtle is less likely to brumate in a temperature-controlled environment, it can happen. In fact, to promote a regular hormonal cycle, many owners opt for inducing brumation for their pets if they are healthy enough to undergo this period of relative dormancy and inactivity.
However, it is not wise to allow a pet turtle to brumate at their own discretion, as they can undergo weight loss during this period. Only healthy adult turtles that get proper nutrition during the summer and a clean bill of health from your vet (at around autumn) should be allowed to brumate.
Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, healthy and non-brumating sliders should have a voracious appetite. Often, a pet that stops eating is either in an environment that’s not conducive to their digestive health or is suffering from an ailment that requires veterinary care.
It is natural for a turtle in brumation to not eat for several weeks or months, depending on how long they brumate. However, all pet turtles require a veterinarian to check them several weeks prior to commencing brumation to ensure that they are fit enough to withstand this process.
Featuerd Image Credit: Piqsels
