Why is my pet turtle afraid of me and refuses to eat?

Is this a new pet turtle? While we call them our pets and consider them parts of the family you must remember it is still an animal. Its completely normal for an animal to be afraid of you or not sure about you at first, especially if it wasnt handled much by humans before you got him. Turtles arent exactly the most social animals to begin with. Just give him time, always approach him slowly, and when moving your hands towards him move them slow and in his line of vision. If you reach from the back and sides all the time youull startle him because he didnt see your hands. As for him not eating - what are you feeding him? Do you know what his diet was before you got him?

thanks

yeah it is new.. and from where i bought it they told me to feed it lettuce

He will be afraid as he is new. Give him 2 or 3 days settling into his new home before you try and pick him up- in that time just approach him and talk to him etc and let him get to know your voice. Gradually you can start putting your hand near him and getting him used to that. Every day you could hold your hand, palm up, in front of him and leave it there for a few minutes to see if he will approach it. Eventually he should get used to it and approach you and stand on your hand. Then you will be able to lift him out. This is just one way of getting him used to being held on his own terms. You can try and pick him up sooner, just be sure to approach from an angle where he can see your hand/s.

As for food, just leave some around his habitat. He won’t starve himself and will eat some at some point, probably when you are not looking. If he still does not seem to be eating after a couple of days then ring a vet or the pet store and ask for advice. Make sure you offer a few different things for him to eat too, as he may just not like what you ae currently trying to give him.

Thanks!

No problem :) I hope he is eating and seems settle soon.