Maintaining your turtle’s health requires providing them with a variety of foods. Turtles are highly sensitive to monotonous diets and will become easily bored.
Bulk foods are an economical way to save money and provide your turtle with a variety of treats. When combined with regular turtle food, bulk foods will keep your turtle healthy and contented.
Contents
1. Freeze Dried Insects
Freeze dried insects make an excellent bulk turtle food choice due to their high protein content, lack of preservatives and ease of preparation.
Insects can be frozen using a freeze-dryer and then dehydrated in a vacuum machine. This method produces dried mealworms, crickets, roaches and other insects for your turtle’s aquarium.
Baby turtles can benefit from insects as they can be fed a small amount without harming them. It’s important to note that live insects have lower nutritional values than their insect counterparts.
The FAO has long promoted the use of insects as a source of protein and feed in developing countries due to their nutritional content. For instance, Ruspolia differens, a grasshopper morph, contains far higher proteins than cereals do, making them an ideal protein choice for many developing nations. Furthermore, insects provide essential amino acids like lysine and threonine which may otherwise go missing from these nations’ diets.
2. Dried Shrimp
Dried shrimp is an integral part of many cultures around the world. They’re used in traditional dishes like soups, stews and gumbos.
Dried shrimp is an excellent addition to stir-fries, noodles and salads. Before using it, simply soak the dried shrimp in water to soften and rehydrate it.
When selecting dried shrimp, be sure to check their expiry date and whether they have heads, tails and shells. Shrimps with all these parts tend to be better for boiling in water.
When storing dried shrimp at home, it’s best to store them in an airtight container. They can last up to 3 – 4 months in the fridge and up to 6 months frozen.
3. Pellets
Pellets, as the name implies, are an excellent way to add protein and bulk to your turtle’s diet. They come in various sizes and protein concentrations.
No matter their age, aquatic turtles should be fed pelleted food as a staple. This can replace other foods like lettuce, Anacharis and other vegetables.
ZooMed’s Hatchling Formula is an ideal pellet for hatchling turtles (we suggest soaking 1/16’d size for those up to 1.5′ SCL). It contains enough Calcium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E for their proper bone and shell development.
Mazuri Crocodilian Diet is an excellent bulk turtle food option with a balanced Calcium:Phosphorus ratio that will provide complete nutrition for most turtles.
Hikari Reptile Turtle Sticks are an excellent option for most omnivorous turtles. They contain a balanced combination of ingredients including soybean, wheatgerm, krill and seaweed. Furthermore, these pellets contain plenty of calcium and phosphorus though they lack Vitamin D3 or E as other pellets do.
4. Live Food
Live foods are nutritional powerhouses, packed with vital enzymes, phytonutrients and other compounds essential for proper digestion, absorption, elimination, immunity and overall wellness. Eating a diet consisting of at least 90% live food can help you shed pounds, feel more energised and gain health benefits.
Live fish food can be purchased locally at pet stores and bait shops, online retailers such as Aquabid and eBay, or at a nearby fish club. Popular varieties of live fish food include worms (earthworms and mealworms), crickets, fruit flies and wingless drosophila.
In addition to offering live foods, adult turtles should receive a vitamin and calcium supplement two or three times per week. Dairy products, sugary treats and salty snacks should also be avoided. Eating mostly live foods will result in an energetic and healthy critter!
