Turtles are opportunistic feeders, feeding on a wide range of foods. This adaptability has enabled them to remain extant for millions of years.
Turtles vary in their diet depending on their species, usually eating a combination of meat, vegetables and fruit. They also consume insects, earthworms, snails and other small animals such as crickets.
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Meat
Turtles are omnivorous, eating both plant matter and animal protein. However, each of the more than 300 different species of turtle has its own specific diet preferences.
Depending on their age and species, some turtles will mainly consume meat while others consume a combination of both. Young turtles especially require more protein which can be provided through pellet food, live food or freeze-dried crustaceans.
Aquatic turtles should have a diet consisting of pellet and live foods. They can also eat various vegetables, fruit and insects.
Vegetables
Turtles tend to be omnivores, though what they eat depends on their age and species. Juvenile turtles (up to 3 years old) require more protein for growth and development, so will likely consume a higher ratio of meat over dried foods.
In addition to meat, most turtles also enjoy vegetables. Vegetables provide high levels of calcium and other essential nutrients for building strong bones and shells.
Box turtles should be offered a varied diet of green, leafy plants. This should make up at least part of their food supply and include collard, mustard, beet, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip and parsley greens.
Fruit
What turtles eat can have a significant impact on their longevity and well-being. Most wild turtles are omnivores, eating both plants and animals alike.
Adult land turtles thrive on a balanced diet of beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, grubs and snails as well as grasses, fruits, berries, mushrooms and flowers. Young turtles require more protein-rich foods in order to support their rapid growth rate.
Aquatic turtles feed on a variety of foods, such as insects, fish and small mammals. Carrion (decaying animal matter) is another staple in their diet – such as dead raccoons, ducks and other pond creatures that wash up on the shore.
Flowers
Land turtles are omnivores, feeding on beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, grubs and snails as well as grasses, fruit, berries, mushrooms and flowers. Young turtles tend to eat a high protein diet while older ones may even consume carrion (decaying flesh).
Aquatic turtles are herbivores, feeding on algae, seagrass meadows, water plants and other aquatic vegetation. They may also consume small fish, worms, insects and crustaceans.
Commercially available pellet food is an excellent staple, but it should be supplemented with live food and various vegetables (80%-90% of their diet should consist of veggies). Commercially available pellet food should only make up 10% of a turtle’s overall nutrition.
Water
What a turtle consumes, whether in the wild or as a pet, depends on its species, age and size. Some are carnivores while others are herbivores.
Land turtles (tortoises) typically feed on a variety of foods, such as beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, grubs and snails. Additionally they enjoy eating grasses, flowers, fruit and mushrooms.
Herbivorous turtles require a high-quality diet composed of leafy greens, vegetables and fruits. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of their intake should come from these sources while 20 to 30% should come from insects as well as meats such as chicken, beef, pork, turkey or rabbit.
