My turtle sleeps a lot and won't open eyes. Is it hibernating or sick?

Check the water temperature and ambient temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Keep the water between 24 C and 30 C. A basking spot out of the water should be 29 C to 31 C. UVB lighting should also be provided. Maintain water quality to prevent infections and feed an appropriate diet with vitamin and mineral supplementation. A vitamin A deficiency can cause swelling of the eyes. Repti-Turtle Eye Drops (by Zoo Med) can be used to help the eyes. Find it online or in the local pet store. Soak the little guy in a 50/50 mix of warm water and an electrolyte replacement beverage to maintain hydration. You can read more about care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Thanks for reaching out about your baby turtle and including photos. This turtle appears to be very ill and is need of seeing a veterinarian, as soon as possible. Check and correct water quality for temperature and water quality. Heat support should be warm. Good luck.

First, check the temperatures in his enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. Next check for elevated humidity levels. Too much can predispose him to a respiratory infection. The symptoms reported may indicate an infection or a nutritional deficiency, maybe both. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating tortoises. If he has a respiratory infection he will need prescription antibiotics. In the meantime, increase temps by a few degrees to aid in any recovery.Give him a good long soak (at least 30 minutes) in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte/DioraLyte.

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. You can soak him for 20 minutes in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will warm Tart up and provide hydration. Offer fresh greens and vegetables as well as a commercial tortoise diet afterwards. If he doesn't eat or remains lethargic, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Thank you for using Boop by Petco. Your turtle needs to see a reptile veterinarian ASAP. It may be suffering from malnutrition or have a respiratory infection or combination of both. It could be critically ill and likely needs injectable medications. Here is some more info on care. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Juvenile turtles require warmer temperatures. Increase the water temperature to between 82F and 85F. The basking area should be around 85-88F. Make sure you have a UVB light source as well that is not blocked by plastic or glass. Feed juveniles 2-3 times daily. To keep the water cleaner, feed in a separate tank or bowl and return him to the main tank when he is done. The temp increase may be enough to perk him up again. If not, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Sustained low temps can predispose him to respiratory infection or other illnesses. Follow this link for more information regarding care and feeding of RES: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Thanks for reaching out about Franklin. Try providing a warm water soak and then gently opening the eyes with a moistened soft cloth. Vitamin A deficiencies can often lead to secondary infections. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Systemic and ophthalmic antibiotic, in addition to a vitamin A injection, will often resolve these problems, but the diet and husbandry also need to be corrected. Good luck.

Brumation (hibernation) could be a reason. Typically though, as long as the temps are consistent year round, a non-breeding turtle does not need to brumate. Check the tank temps anyway. Low temps will affect activity in turtles. Dehydration may also cause lethargy. Give him a good, long soak in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. If he defecates in the bath, change it and continue the soak. This will provide supplemental heat as well as hydration. If he doesn't perk up, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any illness or injury.

Check the water temperature. It may be too cold for her. Ideally, it should be heated to between 75 F and 86 F. It should also be filtered to keep it clean. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in turtles. The swollen eyes may be due to infection, trauma or vitamin deficiency. Warm her up and then see if she will eat. Bits of raw, beef heart can be used to stimulate her appetite. Find it at your local butcher shop. Once she is eating, feed a combination of live prey, commercial pellets and fresh greens/vegetables. Go to the local Petco and pick up some ZooMed Repti-Turtle Eye Drops. This can be used to help her eyes. If there is no improvement, she will need to see your veterinarian. You can review slider care at the link below. I will also include a link for the eye drops. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-turtle-eye-drops

Recheck the water and air temps with a different thermometer. Typically, the behavior you are seeing, in the absence of additional symptoms, is usually due to low temps. Check him over for obvious injury or trauma. Monitor for persistent or worsening lethargy, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes/nose/mouth, blowing bubbles or "gaping" (holding mouth open or repeatedly opening/closing it). If necessary, have him examined by your veterinarian or by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. You have an amazing habitat for your species of turtle. When he eats, make sure he doesn't ingested any of the gravel. Additionally, offer some fresh chopped greens since these turtles are omnivorous.