Painted turtles inhabit various aquatic environments in their wild homes. They prefer bodies of fresh water which provide ample opportunities to bask in the sunlight and stretch out and rest their shells.
Captive omnivores should be fed Mazuri and ReptoMin aquatic pellets, feeder fish, occasional ghost shrimp and fruits and veggies such as romaine lettuces, red leaf lettuces, endive or collard greens for fruits and veggies; meat should only make up no more than 10 percent of their diet.
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Leafy Greens
Painted turtles feed on both plants and animal matter in their wild environment, according to research conducted in 2000 by Herpetological Review. According to this research study, insects were discovered in 35 midland painted turtles’ flushed stomachs as well as insects from surrounding vegetation. When offering treats like zucchini squash, mustard greens, collards, kale mustard dandelion greens frogbit spike rush water hyacinth anacharis leaves can all make great options – as can occasionally chopped fruit such as skinned apples melon melons berries papaya or banana for variety.
For optimal results, provide your turtle with a varied diet. Don’t let its diet become dependent on one food item alone as this could deprive it of essential nutrients. As a guideline, pellets should account for about one-third of his diet while fresh feed and fresh vegetables should make up most of what remains.
Fruits
If you are fortunate enough to own a painted turtle, make sure that they receive plenty of vegetables, fruits and leafy greens in their diet. While occasional treats like crickets or worms (which contain too much protein) are fine (but no more than 10%), their use should remain within reason.
Painted turtles in the wild are adept opportunistic hunters that feed on both plants and animals, including aquatic insects, fish, or carrion. They will search the bottoms of slow-moving rivers or ponds or skim across their surface waters looking for live prey, aquatic insects or carrion to consume.
Mulberries, papayas, apples, bananas, raspberries and blueberries are great fruits to feed to turtles; however, be wary as these contain high concentrations of sucrose which could lead to obesity if fed on an ongoing basis or in large amounts.
Aquatic Plants
As with any animal that spends its time submerged in water, providing enough vegetation is crucial. Fresh vegetables such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, kale and carrots should be provided alongside aquatic plants like duckweed, water hyacinth or dandelion for your aquarium fish to consume.
As hatchlings and juveniles, painted turtles are predominantly carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, fish and aquatic insects; as adults however they become more omnivorous and enjoy eating a wide range of plant material.
Many owners find great success letting their turtles create edible vegetation in aquarium-style tanks, with citrus or any vegetables high in potassium, such as tomatoes or peppers, being avoided as these may upset a turtle’s stomach. Also avoid feeding raw meat from stores as these could contain parasites and harmful organisms that could be detrimental.
Meat
Adult painted turtles should receive at least one source of protein every two days; vegetables and plants should make up approximately half their diet while meat (such as chicken, shrimp, guppy, cricket or worm) should comprise the other half.
Painted turtles are known for being opportunistic eaters in nature. While insects make up much of their diet, painted turtles also enjoy munching on live or dead carrion fish, aquatic plants, crayfish, and aquatic vegetation.
Captive painted turtle babies should receive turtle pellets five to six days a week until they reach adulthood; then this frequency will decrease until once every other day is sufficient.
Treats
Protecting painted turtles’ wellbeing means providing them with foods they would find in their native environment, such as fish oil. Be wary, however, not to give your turtle anything that may harm its health such as milk or dairy foods.
Wild painted turtles feed on both plant and animal matter, including plants found in 35 of 48 midland painted turtles studied. Additionally, they consume crayfish as well as injured or dead fish.
To meet their nutritional requirements, give turtles a variety of vegetables and meat daily, such as romaine or red-leaf lettuce (never iceberg), mixed vegetables and collard greens. Also provide two or three times per week turtle pellets as treats.
