Do turtles need to eat every day?

[myrtle999]

When I first rescued Myrtle, March of last year, she was very frail and near starving. Now after 9 months of mainly fresh shell-on prawns, crab sticks, cucumber and spinach, which are all Myrtle's favourites, I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that she does not eat anywhere near the amount she used to, and some days is not interested in her food at all, and I was wondering if this is normal? I have no concerns over her health at all, she is very alert, swims about as usual, hiding in her plants, and very responsive to her name and being fussed as usual, and to be honest the turtle vet I use has said she looks absolutely fantastic, but it is just niggling me that she is not eating as much. Because she is kept in such a large room I have turned her water heater up, and she has a big spotlight lamp on for about 15hrs a day, and now I'm wondering if she is too warm and becoming a 'Platform Potato'!!

[wayne020668]

first of all we would just like to wish you a very happy new year from all at turtle rescue.... feeding should be offered once a day weather the turtle will take it or not and the fact that she does not want to eat or take it every day is nothing to worry about, turtles & terrapins both will eat when they want to and can go for up to 2 weeks without eating when not in hibernation.. also the water temp for mrytle should be set to around the 23c mark this will keep her active any higher with the heat lamp on for this period of time can increase the tank temp to over the 30 range which can be too hot and will not help her she wont want it eat or move as much... giving mrytle excersise will also keep her in good health as it builds up her muscles a simple walk around the floor will do the trick when your cleaning her tank etc...

keep in touch regards wayne.

[myrtle999]

Thanks Wayne that's good to know. I have got her heater much to high though so will turn it down. Really glad you suggested letting her out to walk about as she absolutely loves this, but worrying how she seems to love going down stairs the most, and so have had to block these off to her now. Will try to get some video of her uploaded as would love for you to see her. She is such a character, and throws my shoes about if she happens to come across any on her travels, and trys to act all tough and fierce, but as soon as I raise my voice to her just retreats into her shell. She seems to enjoy her head being stroked as well now and stretches it out, whereas when I first acquired her she would just put her head back in her shell. Happy New Year to you all as well, and the new website is just brilliant.