Learned Behavior . . . or Should Come Natural???

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Goonie

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Do turtles have to be "taught" how to catch their food? I'm asking because my adopted baby snapping turtle doesn't seem to have a knack on how to catch the food pellets or minnows. With the pellets, I actually have to use a chopstick and sort of hold the pellets in place for him to eat. With the minnows, he'd literally chase the fish around the tank, missing each chomp he delivers, and eventually getting frustrated and give up. At first I thought it was because the food pellets and minnows were too big for his little mouth, but that's no longer the case.

Or do I just have a "slow" learning turtle? :roll:
 

TheSmpsnsG85

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It should come natural, however they aren't great hunters. They don't have speed in their favor. The snapping turtles are a 'sit and wait' type hunter, not a speed hunter. So, when they attempt to chase their food, they bite and bite and never get it. Baby Red Eared Sliders are similar, they have to try several times to finally get a fish, and they give up easily. Practice makes perfect I suppose. Silly turtle.
 

Goonie

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Thanks Trisha. I was seriously starting to think that maybe Buddy was "slow" :lol:
I hope he'll get better at it as he grows up. Otherwise, I'll be assisting forever :roll:
 

TheSmpsnsG85

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Goonie":2adcd said:
Thanks Trisha. I was seriously starting to think that maybe Buddy was "slow" :lol:
I hope he'll get better at it as he grows up. Otherwise, I'll be assisting forever :roll:
Sometimes I wonder myself about certain herps, It seems as though they would never be able to make it on their own in the wild the way they hunt. Even some beardies, they have to try several times for the same worm, I think Grumpy would starve!
Every aquatic Turtle I have ever seen is a bad hunter as a baby. It is funny to watch.
 

Goonie

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It is even funnier when they give up and seem to sulk about it.
Buddy would go and hide when he gives up, almost as if he's ashamed at himself for not being able to catch the fishies. :lol:

I'll have to catch it on video some day.
 

TheSmpsnsG85

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Goonie":89044 said:
It is even funnier when they give up and seem to sulk about it.
Buddy would go and hide when he gives up, almost as if he's ashamed at himself for not being able to catch the fishies. :lol:

I'll have to catch it on video some day.
aww poor baby. That definatly needs to be caught on video!
 
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