My eastern box turtle Is unresponsive. I am not sure if it is dead because rather than being limp, out of its shell with its eyes opened like turtles normally are when they die it is mostly in its shell resembling when it is asleep despite one leg that is slightly out but still not limp, and it's eyes are closed tight. It does not respond to any touch or water.

Thanks for reaching out about Hank. Not all animals remain limp after dying. and can stiffen up (rigor mortis) A veterinary visit can assess for a heart beat, but this does not appear promising. Sorry.

Is my eastern box turtle dead? Unresponsive & eyes closed

Health & Wellbeing

I’m not sure if my orenate box turtle has gone into hibernation or if she’s passed away. She has her front legs and head tucked in back legs out and limp with her eyes closed, since I found her unresponsive (4days ago) she hasn’t moved even when I p

Sorry about your turtle. A veterinary visit is recommended to ascertain a heart beat through a doppler or lack of, but sounds as if she has passed. During hibernation, legs are usually tucked in. Sorry.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My box turtle is not moving at all or even eating for few days . She once peed a green coloures urine and she is kepping her head inside her shell but her hands and legs outside. When i hold and invert it she keeps as it is . She is not stiff or anyt

I am sorry to hear about Nokta. I too, am worried about what you describe. Although when they hibernate their limbs are usually in the shell, not out. I do worry that she could be gravely ill and very weak. It can be hard to tell if a turtle is deceased. It is impossible to find a heartbeat, and reptiles can survive on only breathing very infrequently. I would recommend having her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. If that is not available then try to warm her up and see if she will Move. If she is alive she likely needs veterinary care to survive. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My red eared slider stopped all movement sddenoy. He didn't eat for 1 and a half days. I moved his legs and shell. But there was no response or reflex action. Do u think he's hibernating or he's passed away

Place him in some water. A dead turtle will begin to accumulate gases that will make it float. Gentle pressure on the tail should elicit a response. Even when brumating (like hibernating), there should be some movement or reaction. If he has passed, he will be limp and you may begin to smell a foul odor in a couple days.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My tortoise was not moving and kept head totally in and legs out

A veterinary visit is important, as soon as possible and this tortoise sounds critical, if even alive. It is difficult to palpate a heart beat so a doppler at the veterinarian is needed. Good luck.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I clean houses, I found a turtle who looks dead in a tank of cold water. No power in the house. I took the turtle out and brought it home. It's in my basement with a temp around 55/60°. It's not moving at all. I looked at it this morning and it now

Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine if it is dead or alive. Low temps may cause extreme lethargy in reptiles. Try warming it up slowly, using warm water and a heat lamp, to see if it starts to move. If it was submerged, it may have drowned. To be sure, you can take it to the local veterinary clinic to confirm death.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I think my tortouse might be dead, its not moving and is stiff inside

Tortoises have been known to appear dead for several hours and then start moving again. Please have a reptile vet see Freda asap, as they can help you determine what is going on. Check https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/home/ for reptile vets in your area, and good luck.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Hi, I'm asking today because of my turtle a (red ear slider) I've had him for 3 years now and I noticed that he was making noises as a high pitched meow? As if a baby kitted it's weird because he was perfectly fine yesterday it's been an hour now and

The noise may be stress related or could indicate respiratory infection. The surest way to confirm either, or death, is to have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can pick him up to see if he responds. Most turtles will withdraw into the shell or try to escape if handled. Check the ambient and water temps. Soak him in a shallow bowl of a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Increase Temps by about 5-10 degrees F to aid in recovery.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I’m not sure if my hamster is dead or in torpor. He’s not stiff like a dead hamster would be but his eyes are open.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Killer. It will take time for an animal to become stiff after dying. It does not happen immediately. I would check for any breathing and see if you can feel a heart beat. If so, you need to see veterinary care right away. I hope this information helps.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

How can i tell my painted male turtle in hibernation or dead?

First of all if he is in the house, then he is most likely dead as it is too warm to go into hibernation. If he is outside it's not easy to tell, at least not in the beginning, eventually you will know as you will see him start to decompose after a few days of being dead, it will start smelling as well.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I have a eastern box turtle ho has not eaten or been in her water container she is burrowed in her grass in her enclosure and has been for nearly two weeks she moves slightly when I touch her but does not come fully out of her shell or the grass

It sounds like she may be trying to hibernate. However, there is also a possibility that she is sick. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian. If they feel she is healthy then you may want to hibernate her in your garage over the winter. A large, sand filled bucket with hay on the top usually works well. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Is my eastern box turtle dead? It's unresponsive and eyes are closed.

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Is my eastern box turtle dead? It's unresponsive and eyes are closed.

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Related Answers from Veterinarians

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I’m not sure if my orenate box turtle has gone into hibernation or if she’s passed away. She has her front legs and head tucked in back legs out and limp with her eyes closed, since I found her unresponsive (4days ago) she hasn’t moved even when I p

My box turtle is not moving at all or even eating for few days . She once peed a green coloures urine and she is kepping her head inside her shell but her hands and legs outside. When i hold and invert it she keeps as it is . She is not stiff or anyt

My red eared slider stopped all movement sddenoy. He didn't eat for 1 and a half days. I moved his legs and shell. But there was no response or reflex action. Do u think he's hibernating or he's passed away

My tortoise was not moving and kept head totally in and legs out

I clean houses, I found a turtle who looks dead in a tank of cold water. No power in the house. I took the turtle out and brought it home. It's in my basement with a temp around 55/60°. It's not moving at all. I looked at it this morning and it now

I think my tortouse might be dead, its not moving and is stiff inside

Hi, I'm asking today because of my turtle a (red ear slider) I've had him for 3 years now and I noticed that he was making noises as a high pitched meow? As if a baby kitted it's weird because he was perfectly fine yesterday it's been an hour now and

I’m not sure if my hamster is dead or in torpor. He’s not stiff like a dead hamster would be but his eyes are open.

How can i tell my painted male turtle in hibernation or dead?

I have a eastern box turtle ho has not eaten or been in her water container she is burrowed in her grass in her enclosure and has been for nearly two weeks she moves slightly when I touch her but does not come fully out of her shell or the grass

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