What Should I Feed My Turtle?

what do turtles eat

First, know what you are feeding species . Plan and all other aspects of care is determined by the natural habitat of the turtle. For instance , River Cooters eat a diet consisting mainly of plants, while Map Turtles prefer animal matter. North American box turtles are omnivores that eat a little of everything . Malayan box turtle has to eat a lot of plants with some animal matter , but the three-striped box turtle price " meat " China almost exclusively. The life of the red-eared turtle starts eating mainly insects , worms and other invertebrates , but becomes more omnivorous as it matures . ( Note : The information on this page does not apply to the turtles, which often have very specialized diets For more information about eating turtle visit the trust website and this article on turtle turtle food . ) .
what do turtles eat

 Replicating the natural diet as much as possible will make your turtle happy and healthy. In the wild, turtles choose from a variety of foods in season and available. Variety is the key to a good diet for your turtle . Calcium is another important key . Supplementation is not necessary if you use enough variety in the diet. (After all , no one gives vitamins to wild turtles , and tend to be healthier than the captives . )
what do turtles eat 

what do turtles eat

 You can read about the complex relationship between calcium , phosphorus , vitamin D3 and other elements in various websites. The point is that phosphorus is found in most foods that turtles eat . This is the part of the report of calcium that demands attention. Providing calcium separately allows the turtle to decide when you need more calcium. Cuttlefish bone , gypsum blocks , boiled eggs and crushed stone, crushed and whole shells can provide calcium on demand. Enough to provide a good source of calcium is insufficient , however. Dietary calcium is not used properly in the absence of vitamin D3. Turtles can manufacture D3 if provided access to UV -B sunlight or a good reptile light rays (eg ReptiSun or Reptile D -Light . ) Or D3 can be provided in the diet through supplements like Rep- Cal . Some foods block calcium absorption because of its high content of oxalic acid. It is important not to abuse these foods, but may have some advantages as natural deworming agents . Some foods contain goitrogens which can lead to iodine deficiency if abused. ( Provide cuttlebone can also solve this problem, as it contains traces of iodine. ) High levels of protein put undue stress on the kidneys , and may engage in certain deformities of the shell. Best to avoid the overuse of meat for human consumption and other protein foods . When used in moderation as part of a varied diet is likely to cause any damage, but the rich meat protein should not be used as a staple food . It is important to use a wide variety of foods, and no excessive use of any type. Remember that all plants also provide protein , so it is difficult to get enough protein in the diet.

For many years , recreationists turtles have used the following lists of "good " and "bad" foods . Turtles in the wild do not pay attention to these lists . :-) This avoids the difficulties that may arise from some so-called bad foods eaten in moderation as part of a natural diversity that surrounds them. When you feel the need for calcium , seeking eggs of amphibians and birds , or gnawing the bones of carrion , or even eat mineral-rich soil and sand . When humans intervene in the lives of wild animals , tend to over - analyze things at the expense of animals. Avoid foods on the lists of "bad" , we deceive our pets many nutritious menu items . For example, the cabbage is often prohibited because the high content of goiter. If nothing feed your turtle, but the cabbage, and never let them have iodine in any form , the turtle can indeed develop kidney problems and goiter . Then just use cabbage as a point in the menu, and provide cuttle bone for iodine replacement . Instead of avoiding perfectly nutritious foods , such as spinach or broccoli , we must use everything in moderation. And always keep calcium independently ( as cuttlefish. )

what do turtles eat

There are very few foods that should be avoided strictly limited.

1. ) Reptiles do not use dairy products at all stages of their lives and not have the enzymes to break down lactose . So do not eat cheese , yogurt and other dairy products for your turtle .

2 ) Canned and other processed foods are high in salt and other preservatives. The effects of these things are not entirely known , but are not part of a natural diet. It would be wise to limit their use.

3 ) Avoid sweets , chocolates , breads and other sugar and flour or other highly processed foods such as refined products.

4) Although some turtles are known to eat poisonous plants in nature, the specific characteristics of this behavior are not well studied . It is probably prudent to avoid the use of toxic plants in their habitats (eg , ivy , avocado, rhubarb plants , etc. )

In general , however , it comes down to the variety. If you feed just cantaloupe and crickets , there will be problems down the line . There is nothing wrong with these foods . They are simply insufficient. If you feed a variety of foods , the occasional use of cabbage , lettuce , and beef heart , cooked even not cause problems . In addition , feeding some foods are low in calcium and high in phosphorus or oxalates not mind at all if a separate source of calcium ( cuttle plasterblocks / / / shells crushed shells ) is always available. This is more consistent with the way turtles feed in nature anyway. While some guards carefully examine the calcium / phosphorus, turtles do not waste a precious second to reflect on the chemical analysis of foods. If it's good and it's there, they will eat ! Later, munch some carrion bones or bird eggshells and get caught in calcium. It may be impossible for us to really "think like a turtle " but we can try at least . Turtles fed a variety of foods are happier and less likely to develop dangerous food fetishes .
What should I feed my turtle what is the best diet for turtles do not know what to feed my turtle .
 
what do turtles eat
* Try * Many of these foods for turtles Omnivore

vegetables

aquatic plants ( duckweed, water lettuce , parrot feathers , etc. ) , watercress , cabbage , turnip , lettuce, green and red leaf , romaine lettuce, dandelion, chickweed, plantain weed , leaves carrot , red clover , endive , grape leaves , grape leaves , sow thistle , vetch

vegetables :

pumpkin, peas in the pod , okra , grated carrots or sweet potatoes sliced
beets , green beans , baked beans , corn

fruits :

figs, grapes , blueberries , blackberries , cantaloupe , tomato , banana , strawberry , apple , citrus , mango , kiwi , pumpkin - all fruits are good for occasional use

flowers :

geraniums (Pelargonium species) , Chinese Lantern ( Abutilon hybridum not Physalis sp. ) , watercress , borage , hyssop, hostas , hibiscus , carnations , lilies , petunias , pansies, chives , dandelion , rose and rose hips

animal matter :

Silkworms, earthworms, crickets, snails, shrimp, slugs, waxworms, mealworms, zoophobas, pinky mice (live or pre-killed), cooked chicken or turkey, boiled eggs, cooked fish.
okay on rare occasion--cat or dog food, lean beef
(hamburger and other fatty red meats should be avoided, and never use raw meats because of contamination dangers)

turtle foods :Commercial foods can be used as part of the diet--
Tetra's Reptomin, Wardley's Reptile T.E.N., Turtle Brittle, Purina AquaMax

supplements :

Calcium/D3 supplements Rep- Cal Reptile Tri -Cal or are the best. A jar of Rep- Cal is rather expensive , but lasts much longer. Tri -Cal even comes in a hand shaker . Use once a week. Vitamin supplements can also be used .
(Do not use calcium supplement that has phosphorous in it. )what do turtles eat