Common musk turtles in the wild are opportunistic hunters that consume aquatic vegetation as part of their diet, in addition to carnivorous food sources like mollusks and small fish as well as amphibians and aquatic insects.
Hatchlings are carnivorous by nature and should only consume meat-rich foods such as commercial pellets and earthworms/crickets as food sources.
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Commercial Pellets
Musk turtles typically need more animal protein in their early years than vegetables. If yours do not accept greens, reduce their pellet or meat portion until they will start eating vegetables more readily.
This commercial pellet provides hatchlings and juveniles with essential nutrition and protein levels for healthy growth.
Hikari Wheat-Germ is an excellent high quality pellet with lower protein levels than this diet, ideal for herbivorous adult musk turtles. ZooMed Maintenance Pellet can be added as a complement for optimal performance in creating an herbivorous adult diet.
Meat
Common musk turtles, commonly referred to as stinkpots, have earned themselves the moniker “feisty”. Living up to 50 years in captivity, they release an unpleasant odor when threatened, hence earning themselves their name.
Musk turtles in the wild are mostly carnivorous hunters that eat aquatic plants, fish, amphibians and insects; their diet should be varied in captivity to maintain good health.
Earthworms and fish cut ups can easily be found at pet stores, making an excellent source of protein for musk turtles. Feed young musks daily or every other day depending on their size and appetite.
Vegetables
Common Musk Turtle owners in captivity sometimes provide vegetables to their pet’s diet, including leafy greens such as kale and collards for extra nutrients and red runner cockroaches as sources of protein (these can often be purchased commercially from reptile suppliers).
Musk turtles in the wild tend to be carnivorous, yet experts advise them to add plant matter into their diet for an optimal diet and multivitamin/calcium supplementation to each meal.
Baby musk turtles require more animal proteins than vegetable nutrients for proper development. Therefore, commercial pellets, chopped meat and insects should all be fed regularly to them.
Seafood
Musk turtles typically feed on an assortment of fish, amphibians, aquatic insects and vegetables in their natural environment; when kept as pets they require a mix of protein-rich foods that satisfy their protein requirements. Commercial turtle pellets are available at pet stores and specialty reptile shops.
Crickets and roaches provide a good source of protein for musk turtles; just be sure to select small, baby crickets so they fit easily into your turtle’s mouth. They may also enjoy hatchling locusts.
These insects are rich in phosphorus and calcium, both vital elements for building strong bones and shells. Earthworms provide another high-protein food option available at grocery stores or can even be grown in an aquarium.
Insects
Diversity is essential when providing food to captive birds. A mixture of commercial pellets with high protein animal prey such as pinkie mice, earthworms, mealworms and roaches makes an excellent meal plan, along with some mushy vegetables or leafy greens for variety.
The Eastern Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus is an aquatic species that inhabits waterways such as rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes with sandy or mud bottoms. This turtle features two faint stripes on its carapace and a small plastron.
Musk turtles are predatory and omnivorous species that shifts their diet with age, becoming more carnivorous as they get older. Signs of illness in musk turtles include mucus on their shell, weight loss and lethargic movement.
Fish
Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) have won the hearts of many reptile enthusiasts as aquatic wonders. Although these aquatic beauties do not need as large of an enclosure as larger species of turtles, they still require specific care requirements that should be adhered to closely.
Make sure that the turtle’s basking area remains at an ideal temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit for best results and to prevent hypovitaminosis, characterized by dull skin coloration, swollen eyes, reduced appetite, and lethargy.
Fruit
Common Musk Turtles in the wild are carnivorous predators, feeding on snails, worms, small fish and amphibians as well as aquatic insects and vegetation. Experts suggest adding plant matter into their diet for maximum health benefits.
When feeding fruits or vegetables to turtles, make sure they are clean and free from pesticides, while being cut into bite-size pieces for easy eating.
Baby musk turtles must be fed more regularly than adult ones due to their rapid rate of development and energy needs for proper growth.
