Box turtles are omnivores, feeding on both plants and animals alike. Their diet varies depending on the season and their environment.
Vegetables and fruits should make up around 30% of their diet, with fruit being offered sparingly.
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Vegetables
Eastern box turtles are herbivorous and can be fed a variety of vegetables. Some good options for them include lightly steamed sweet potatoes, winter squashes, carrots, pumpkin and green beans.
Fruits make a great addition to a box turtle’s diet. Apples, pears and berries can all be safely fed your pet turtle as long as they form only part of its daily salad.
Dark leafy greens should comprise the majority of their diet. Yellow, red and orange vegetables are also beneficial choices.
Fruits
Fruits make an ideal addition to a box turtle’s diet. Apples, pears, bananas (with skin), mango, grapes, star fruit, raspberries, cranberries, apricots and strawberries are just a few of the many fruits you can offer your pet.
Vegetables are essential to a box turtle’s diet. Dark leafy greens should make up most of their meal, but it is acceptable to incorporate some lighter-colored veggies as well.
Fruit should only be offered sparingly to a box turtle, as it is much less nutritional than vegetables. Good fruits to offer include apples, pears, bananas with the skin on, mango, peaches, apricots, raspberries, star fruit and flowers like geraniums.
Flowers
Flowering plants are another excellent source of food for your box turtle. Not only do they provide essential vitamins and minerals, but they provide a wide variety of essential nutrient types as well.
Flowers can be so beneficial to your pet that they may make up as much as 10-20% of their diet! For best results, ensure the majority of the plants your box turtle consumes are dark leafy greens.
Fruits can also be offered, though it’s best to offer them sparingly. Fruits tend to be less nutritious than vegetables and therefore don’t make an ideal choice for box turtles since they contain high amounts of oxalates which could interfere with calcium absorption by binding with it.
You can supplement your turtle’s diet with calcium powder and a cuttlebone up to several times a week; however, be aware that too much calcium may have negative effects.
Insects
Box turtles can be fed a variety of insects, such as crickets and mealworms. These bugs provide essential protein for your turtle and should be part of their balanced diet.
Box Turtles can be voracious eaters and consume a wide range of foods such as insects, worms, snails, grubs, carrion, fish eggs mushrooms flowers and fruits.
To feed a box turtle effectively, offer them various items and switch up their food regularly. This will keep them interested in what you are offering them and ensure they receive enough nutrients.
Meat
Turtles typically feed on worms, snails, grubs, insects, carrion, grasses and fallen fruit in their natural environment. As omnivores they will consume both plant-based food as well as animal-based items.
Adult turtles usually consume around 80% of their diet as plants. Younger turtles may be more interested in meat-based foods.
When feeding a box turtle, it’s essential to provide them with a variety of foods. Meat, fish and other protein-rich items can be great for satisfying different tastes while adding nutritional value to their diet.
Fish
Fish such as goldfish, guppies and minnows can be fed to box turtles. Not only are they an excellent source of protein for your turtle, but it’s also a great way to keep it healthy.
Box turtles should primarily eat animal-based food. This could include processed pet meals, drained sardines, turtle pellets or cooked chicken and beef heart (raw meats should not be given due to potential bacterial contamination).
Leafy green vegetables such as kale, collards, mustard greens, carrot tops, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and turnip greens make excellent treats for box turtles. Be mindful of foods high in oxalates which may hinder calcium absorption by binding to it.
