Vitamin A is essential to maintaining the health of mucous membranes and ducts (small tubes that transport fluids such as saliva, urine and bile) within turtle organs. A lack of Vitamin A could result in stomatitis, pneumonia or other diseases in turtles.
Foods rich in beta-carotene such as mustard greens, papayas, mangos and sweet potatoes can provide your turtle with enough vitamin A. Too much of this nutrient may lead to vitamin toxicity in excess of what their bodies require.
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Vegetables
Most turtles enjoy eating vegetables, especially leafy greens like kale and collard greens, carrots, squash, peas, and other colorful produce like carrots, squash and peas. Just be wary when giving raw vegetables as these may contain high levels of phosphorus; while this is good for humans it could soften turtle shells making them susceptible to bites from predators.
As your turtle matures, vegetables should become an increasingly large component of its diet. When offering vegetables to young turtles, ensure you wash them well to remove any chemicals or dirt that may be on them; newcomers may take longer to appreciate new foods; be patient. Avoid foods containing oxalic acid which inhibit calcium absorption such as chard. Also try not to give brussels sprouts cabbage mustard greens which contain high concentrations of toxic materials that could poison them as these vegetables may be toxic to box turtles as well as other species.
Fruits
Fruits provide some nutrition for turtle diets, but should not be the primary food source. Many fruits contain high levels of sugar which may cause an excessive bacterial load to build up in their systems and should only be fed occasionally as treats.
Vegetables should be your turtle’s primary source of Vitamin A; kale, romaine lettuce, anacharis (waterweed) and watermelons are excellent choices. Leafy greens also help provide essential calcium.
Vitamin A-rich diets help turtles build and maintain healthy mucous membranes to guard against infection. Furthermore, this essential nutrient assists their eyes to function optimally and gives them the ability to distinguish between light and dark environments.
If your turtle exhibits symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency, including swollen eyes, it is imperative that they visit a vet immediately. Treatment options depend on the severity of deficiency; treatments might include liquid Vitamin A supplements or injections or pills from a vet in severe cases. The best way to prevent Vitamin A deficiency in turtles is providing them with a diet rich in meat, vegetables and pellets.
Meat
Turtle meat is a rich source of iron and low in fat, making it an excellent protein source. Additionally, its Vitamin A content supports mucous membrane health, thus helping protect against germs and infections. However, turtle meat may contain harmful toxins; consumption should only occur after consulting with healthcare professionals beforehand.
Tortoises (Testudo spp) are generally omnivorous as adults but mostly carnivorous as youngsters, and should be fed a variety of vegetables, fruits, grasses and flowers including alfalfa leaves, apples, bananas, beans (runner and French), bean sprouts, bindweed, broccoli Brussel sprouts carrots cabbage courgettes cucumber dandelion kale kohlrabi lettuce melons peas pears watercress tomatoes
Additionally, some sources state that turtles may occasionally eat meat such as chicken, beef and pork. It is generally advised to limit turtle’s diet with only live or dried prey such as insects, feeder fish or worms from sources raised humanely.
Fish
Vitamin A is essential to turtle health as it will prevent various issues including dry skin, undeveloped eyes (hypovitaminosis A) and skeletal deformities in female turtles. Most turtles should get all their vitamin A needs met from leafy green vegetables like kale or cooked veggies like squash or sweet potato at least once every week.
Supplements such as freeze-dried shrimp, krill, crickets and earthworms should only be fed occasionally to reptiles that consume them (especially herbivorous species). Crickets should also be preloaded with nutritional food before being offered as they will provide extra vitamins and minerals to their hosts.
Hikari Tropical Sinking Carnivore Pellets can supplement a diet rich in meat; however, not every turtle accepts them and they’re often quite pricey at $8-9 for 2.6oz package. As an omnivorous alternative we suggest ZooMed Hatchling Diet which provides a balance of proteins as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
