As wild box turtles are omnivores, they consume both plant- and animal-based foods. This food pyramid provides them with sufficient sources of protein, fat and fiber.
Staple greens provide essential calcium and low phosphorus levels, while also being free of antinutrients like oxalates. Rare greens may offer extra nutritional benefit while also harboring goitrogens that could potentially harm health.
Contents
Vegetables
Box turtles are omnivorous in the wild, feeding on both plant and animal matter. An ideal diet for box turtles should contain plenty of leafy green vegetables such as collard greens, kale, chard, bok choy, dandelions, parsley and chives; along with some fruits such as tomatoes, apples, cantaloupe strawberries and blackberries for variety. Be sure to sprinkle in some calcium source such as Superpreen or Reptovite every week as well as an oral vitamin preparation (such as liquid vitamin supplements).
Box turtles should receive a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as well as protein-rich food sources such as grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms or snails that have been fed tropical fish flakes or trout chow for one day; snails and slugs from home-raised earthworms rather than buying from bait shops; chopped chicken or fish may also provide protein sources, while high protein diets should be avoided as they could lead to kidney disease in turtles.
Fruit
Box turtles living in the wild typically feed on an assortment of fruits and vegetables to maintain a balanced diet and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Most specialists advise that animal protein should account for no more than 20% of an aquatic reptile’s diet, with most coming from reliable sources like grasshoppers, crickets, earthworms or hard-boiled eggs (with their shells intact). Commercial reptile pellets should be offered alongside an assortment of different foods as dietary supplements.
Fruit should be fed sparingly as part of their daily diet and should not exceed 10%. Delicious choices of fruit for box turtles include berries, apples, bananas and mango. Flowers such as dandelions, hibiscus and geraniums also make safe additions.
Before offering food to your turtle, be sure to cut it up into small pieces for easier eating and to avoid stress or fear inducing large chunks. Try providing various foods each day and observe which ones your turtle likes most!
Insects
Box turtle diets must include both animal proteins and plant sources for optimal health. Animal proteins may come from processed pet foods like drained sardines, turtle pellets or trout chow as well as live prey such as worms, moths and crickets.
Animal matter makes up most of a box turtle’s diet in nature. Wild box turtles enjoy munching on earthworms, slugs, snails and flies among other invertebrates as well as carrion as well as amphibians and reptiles as food sources.
Captive turtles should avoid feeding insects sprayed with insecticides or fertilizers as these chemicals can be dangerous for their health. Gut-loaded live insects provide a protein source without risking pesticides or other pollutants that might harm their bodies.
Greens
Box turtles require a variety of foods in order to receive all of the necessary nutrition. In the wild, these creatures are omnivorous and consume both vegetables and animals. As such, it is recommended that animal matter (night crawlers, snails, slugs, crickets or low fat cat food) as well as greens such as leafy weeds, grape leaves or frozen mixed vegetables be offered twice weekly as food options. Box turtles also enjoy fruits such as figs, apricots, blackberries and raspberries as treats – however these should only be given occasionally due to high levels of sugar content.
Leafy vegetables such as collards, kale and mustard greens provide turtles with essential vitamins A and K as well as essential minerals like calcium, potassium and iron. Wash all greens before offering to your turtle – Romaine, Bibb or Escarole lettuce are good choices but avoid Iceberg which doesn’t offer enough nutrition; turnips and broccoli are both suitable members of the cruciferous vegetable family that will benefit their diet as well.
