Pets can be quite intriguing, turtles included, these animals can animate a variety of interesting behaviors like making faces, acting differently, and closing their eyes
This article is a look into why your turtle is closing its eyes
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Why is my turtle closing its eyes?
Turtles aren’t like mammals; they don’t blink the same way that humans do and closing the eyes can be indicative of a variety of things
Here is why your pet turtle is closing its eyes:
Issues with light:
One reason why your pet turtle may struggle to open its eyes may be because of the lighting in the room.
The animal may be tired and the lights may be too bright for the animal and it may be struggling to keep its eyes open because of this.
What to do:
Dimming the lights in the room that your pet’s enclosure is in should help, this will be easier for the animal’s eyes.
The animal is comfortable:
If your pet turtle is closing its eyes while basking or laying out then this may simply be because the animal is comfortable and relaxed.
Eyes staying closed is a vulnerable thing for the animal to do and your pet will only do this if it feels comfortable. The animal is likely just sleeping or enjoying the heat
What to do:
This is quite normal behavior for turtles who are comfortable in their environment, it’s also a good sign that the animal feels safe and content in your care.
Vitamin A deficiency:
One reason why your turtle may keep to eyes closed may be because the animal has a vitamin A deficiency. This can happen if the animal does not get enough early morning sunlight
An incorrect diet, usually a diet that consists of commercial dried insects, and turtle food can cause this deficiency
Other signs of a vitamin A deficiency in your pet turtle, in addition to the animal keeping its eyes closed are swollen eyes, refusing to eat, and a loss of body weight.
What to do:
While this may seem like an easy fix, taking your pet to the vet to get its condition sorted out is recommended over taking your pet to the vet shop for help or trying to remedy your pet yourself.
Vet shops don’t always give the correct information about these types of exotic pets so taking your pet to a vet, and better yet a reptile specialist vet, is always recommended.
Your vet will give your pet a vitamin A injection and will give advice about what you should be feeding your pet to ensure that it receives all the nutrients it needs.
The animal, after the injection, will become very hungry and will sleep for a day or two as it recovers, don’t be alarmed if you see this, it’s normal
Your vet may also recommend that your pet get more sunlight. Don’t have your pet behind a sheet of glass when letting it get some sun, the glass blocks out a lot of the UV rays that your pet needs.
If you can’t immediately get your pet to the vet then give it a saltwater soak. The water should be salty enough that it tastes like human mouthwash.
This should get the animal’s eyes to open for now. Give the animal this bath twice a day until you can eat the animal to the vet
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why Is My Turtle Croaking?, Why Is My Turtle Not Eating Vegetables?, Why Is My Turtle Just Lying There, Why Is My Turtle Going Crazy In Tank, Why Does My Turtle Just Sit There, Why Is My Turtle Filter Making Noise?, Why Is My Turtle Filter Making Bubbles?, Why Is My Turtle Drooling?, Why Is My Turtle Cold?