How long can a soft-shelled turtle live without eating?

Soft-shelled turtles have a varied diet, but they are mainly carnivorous. They like to eat animal -based foods such as snails, river shrimp, and small fish. However, soft-shelled turtles can generally live for about 3-4 months without eating.

How long can a soft-shelled turtle live without eating?

Soft-shelled turtles can live for 3-4 months without food. They generally won't die even after more than 3 months without eating because they are both resilient to hunger and voracious eaters, relying on their stored nutrients to survive. Their appetite decreases when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Celsius, and they stop eating altogether at 15 degrees Celsius, which explains their slow growth. Soft-shelled turtles are cold-blooded, poikilothermic animals, extremely sensitive to changes in ambient temperature. When the outside temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius, they begin to stop eating.

Soft-shelled turtles can survive for extended periods without food, depending on factors such as their age, health, and ambient temperature. Generally, adult soft-shelled turtles can survive for 1-4 months without food, but this also depends on the ambient temperature and the turtle's health. If the ambient temperature is suitable, soft-shelled turtles can survive for even longer periods without food. However, if a soft-shelled turtle is sick or under stress, its ability to withstand hunger may decrease.

How to raise soft-shelled turtles to grow quickly?

1. Water temperature

Turtles are not demanding in terms of water temperature; they can grow in water temperatures between 0 and 32℃. However, the optimal temperature for their growth is between 25 and 30℃. When the water temperature drops below 15℃, they will stop eating. When the water temperature drops below 10℃, they will hibernate.

2. Water quality

Soft-shelled turtles have relatively high requirements for water quality. They prefer to live in clean, clear water, and the pH value is best maintained between 7.5 and 8.0. Soft-shelled turtles are quite susceptible to water pollution, so the water needs to be changed approximately every 3-4 days when raising them.

3. Feeding

The feeding frequency for soft-shelled turtles varies depending on their stage of development. Young turtles can be fed once a day, while adult turtles can be fed every 2-3 days. Furthermore, once a soft-shelled turtle enters hibernation, it no longer needs to be fed.