Turtles and tortoises are typically omnivorous eaters that enjoy both plant- and animal-derived protein sources. We offer an assortment of aquatic reptile food suitable for various pet species.
This pellet provides an ideal low-protein food option that could become the mainstay for adult herbivorous turtles like Sliders and Cooters. It boasts an ideal calcium:phosphorous ratio as well as abundant Vitamin D3 and E content.
Contents
Feeding Guidelines
Pet turtles are omnivores, meaning their diet should consist of both plant and animal matter. Pellets should constitute 75% of their meal while fruit and vegetables should make up no more than 25%. Popular choices among them may include mango, bananas, cantaloupe melons and strawberries.
Map turtles thrive in outdoor ponds that feature a basking spot. When winter arrives, northern species should be moved indoors for hibernation – thus necessitating a moderately cool enclosure for them to do this in.
These gentle turtles should only be handled with care when absolutely necessary; picking them up could startle them, so use both hands to hold onto them gently by their heads when lifting.
These turtles thrive with newspaper bedding, carpeting or hay as an alternative, and wood mulch (excluding cedar or pine varieties ) as their substrate.
Fruits and Vegetables
Turtles in the wild rely on natural sources for sustenance such as fish, insects, plants and fruits to sustain themselves and remain healthy. To recreate this in captivity, offer them a wide variety of foods with high protein contents to promote growth.
Add variety to commercial turtle pellets by providing vegetables and fruits such as carrots, pumpkin, courgette, kale, etc. when offering fruits and veggies – carrots, pumpkin, courgette kale. Iceberg lettuce lacks nutritional value and may cause indigestion – add Timothy Hay to leafy greens to provide fiber for digestion purposes and support your turtle’s digestive process!
Insects provide a rich source of protein and should be offered once or twice every week as part of a balanced diet. Cockroaches and other household pests should be avoided as they may carry disease. Furthermore, live prey stored for long periods can cause vitamin deficiency leading to ear and eye infections, shell problems and other health concerns for your cat.
Fish
Foods often associated with feeder fish make ideal diet options for turtles, such as silversides, krill and beef heart. Frozen silversides and krill can quickly thaw in tank water for easy feeding of omega-3 fats.
Feeder fish that contain too much fat may lead to turtles becoming overweight, making it harder for them to retract into their shells. Furthermore, feeder fish may contain an enzyme known as thiaminase that eliminates or inhibits thiamine from being produced within their body.
Some types of fish, like danios and neon tetras, can co-habitat in an aquarium with pet turtles without any complications, however make sure that your tank size accommodates both animals. Neon tetras in particular are very fast swimmers which will quickly zip around looking for prey; this may stress or disturb turtles in the tank.
Insects
Turtles can quickly tire of eating monotonous diets, so to keep their attention engaged during feeding time, they should receive various treats such as amphibians (tadpoles and frogs), earthworms, snails, beetles grasshoppers moths and crickets as treats. When choosing foods to feed your turtle, please make sure they fit appropriately sized; larger insects may cause digestive tract obstructions.
As well as these food sources, your turtle should also receive commercial turtle food that meets its specific nutritional requirements – approximately 25% of his diet should consist of this commercial food product, while the remainder 80% should consist of fruits, vegetables and small amounts of fish.
Your turtle might enjoy Indian stick insects, which can be found at pet mega stores in bulk for reptiles. These snacks are high in protein and vitamin A; however, as they require a warm environment at nighttime to thrive.
