? How Long Can Turtles Go Without Eating?
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If you were planning to go on a trip and you own a turtle, you will start to wonder how long can turtles go without eating? This is a serious matter as you will have to decide whether to leave him alone or hire someone else to help you with taking care of the turtle.

You will have to become responsible and ensure that your pet is safe when you leave. I was also in such a situation once, and I had to dive into the research to know whether he would be safe alone. As I was researching, I learned a lot, and I want to help you with some of the many questions that you ask yourself. Would it be safe for you to leave your turtle alone and without food? How long can the turtle live without food?

This may depend on the period as during the cold the turtles hibernate. In this state, they will go for a long time without food. In summer, they will need water, UVB light and heat to survive for a bit longer. I would not recommend leaving your turtle alone. The turtles are different, and some are more resistant compared to others.

How Long Can Turtles Go Without Eating?

In general, turtles can survive for months without food especially during the winter when they go into hibernation. They slow their metabolism rate and reduce their activity rate to save on the little energy and fats that they have left. In this state, they may be able to go for around five months with no food with some significant aftermaths. They will get small and weak. Aquatic turtles need water more for them to live.

I noted from some sources that marine turtles could bask in the sun for only 6 to 8 hours. When it is cool, they may be able to stay for only 3 days. This means that without the water they will spend less time before they die. For them to remain healthy, they will need food and water regularly. Before getting an aquatic turtle, you should be ready to take care of him and provide him with the essentials.

How Long Can A Red Eared Slider Turtle Go Without Eating?

I have always found it very surprising that the red-eared slider turtle can go for a very long time without food. It is even more striking when they are fully grown. From what I know from my research is that they have to stay that long without food as food is not that plenty in the wild. I take it as their way to survive in the harsh environment in the wild.

When it is winter, they will lower their activity rate and this way. They can go for more days without food. This is called hibernation which they usually don’t do when in captivity. When in captivity, they get food more often and UVB light and hence no need. For them to achieve this, they need pure clean water for swimming and drinking. There should also be a basking area with the presence of UVB light.

I found out that the red-eared slider will starve after 3-4 weeks. While in hibernation, they may go up to 3 months without food. Read also How big do red-eared slider turtles get?

How Long Can A Painted Turtle Go Without Eating?

How long can a pet turtle like the painted turtle live without food? The painted turtle is just like the other turtles. They will spend about 3 weeks before they starve. From there on they will need some conditions to survive.

How Long Can A Box Turtle Go Without Eating?

Box turtles are very similar to tortoises with just some slight differences. They mostly feed on plants and some small insects. Their water comes from the herbs they eat, and this might leave you wondering don’t they drink water? I will answer that in a few. To most turtles, clean water is an essential need, and they need it for survival.

This water together with heat and UVB light will help the box turtles to stay for long without food. For an adult box turtle, that has been fed well in childhood and is healthy, he will be able to go for months without eating. Don’t assume and leave your turtle for a long time unattended. Find someone to watch over the turtle if you will be gone for long. Look also how big do box turtles get?

Do Box Turtles Drink Water?

Just like all the other pets, box turtles also need water for their survival. They need the water to cool themselves as well as to keep them hydrated. The only alarming thing about box turtles is that they are not aquatic turtles and they cannot swim. So, if you were to make a pool for a box turtle, I would recommend you make it shallow. The turtle will drown if the pool is deep. The box turtles can still survive on the little water from the food they eat. 

How Long Can Small Turtles Go Without Eating Or Water?

Like I mentioned earlier, Small adult turtles that have been eating healthily in their childhood will survive longer than those that are not as healthy. Although this is the case, they will need water to keep them through their ‘fasting.’ No pet can survive when they are dehydrated. During this time, the turtle will become weak more striking and their size will reduce, but they may survive for more than 5 months especially when they are in brumation.

Young small turtles may not be able to survive for long as they need food for their growth. They need the proteins and food to build their bodies. From my point of view, small turtles will live longer when they have access to clean water. Without water, they will not survive. If you were planning to leave him at home alone without water, you better cancel your trip or find someone else to be in charge.

Can Turtles Live Without Water?

How long can turtles go without water? Just like any living thing in the world, water will mean everything to the turtles. It keeps them hydrated and cools them when there is no shade around. In general, turtles should be able to survive for about 12 hours without water. This depends on the temperatures of the environment and the type of turtle. When the environment is hot, he will dehydrate faster and die sooner. When it is cool, he might be able to make it throughout a whole day.

You should always ensure your turtle has water around to avoid some tragedy. When turtles lack water in their bodies, they get weak, and this is a quick way for their death. Some turtle species will be able to go longer without water compared to others. The box turtles can go for long hours. They can survive on the little water they get from their food. The red-eared slider is also able to survive longer with no water. In summary, water is an essential need, and the turtles will not be able to survive without water.

When it comes to how long turtle can turtle live without food, It is dependent on the season and the conditions available.

I hope that article covered all your questions like: how long can turtles go without water, can turtles survive without water, how long can a turtle go without eating, how long can turtles live without water, can turtles live without water, how long can a painted turtle go without eating, can turtle live without water, how long can turtles live without food, how long can a turtle live without water – if not please write your question in the comment section!

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