Hi-
I have a florida softshell turtle. I found her after the construction in front of my apartment resulted in draining her little pond. She was on my doorstep, and she has been with me ever since. I am getting very concerned about her weight. She wasn't ever plump, like some softies I have seen pics of, but lately she seems to be getting skinnier by the day. I can see her ribs (if that's an appropriate term) when she's swimming, and today when I put her in her feeding tank she is bonier near the sides of her shell, like little spiny protrusions under the shell skin. She's never eaten much, and I have tried several different kinds of food. The one I have fed her today is something I KNOW she has eaten before, but she doesnt seem interested. Is there anyone else I can do before I take her in to see a vet? Just for reference, she is acting perfectly happy, swimming, burrowing, etc etc. Her bony shell is the only indication at all that anything is amiss. Any info would help- thanks!
-Jean
Sunsetcoquette@yahoo.com
What are you feeding her? How big is she? If she's a big turtle, she will eat small goldfish, earthworms, etc. A trip to the vet would be a good idea if she's not eating as something else could be wrong. How big is her tank? Does she have full spectrum lighting or sunlight? If you find she needs a new home, try your local turtle club or wildlife rehabilitator. Some turtles take time to adjust to captivity and a new diet. I hope she starts to eat again!
I don't know much about Softies, but during the winter months, (I noticed this was posted in April) my Painted turtle slows down and doesn't eat much. It really scared me and I did some research and found out that captive turtles will go into a simi hibernation state during the winter months. In the wild they would be borrowed in the mud sleeping during there months. It really alarmed me at first, but year after year this would happen and he was okay year after year. As soon as Spring came around he would liven up and eat more.
By no means do I want to discourage you from going to the Vet., but thought that maybe something similar was happening, like with my turtle.
Good Luck, I'd be curious to see what you found out.