Turtles enjoy feeding on various aquatic plants such as azolla, water lettuce and duckweed that live submersed below water.
Captive turtle diets should consist of animal matter, leafy greens and fruits; avoid dairy products, processed meats or sugary treats as these could potentially harm their health. Also try not to oversalt their diet.
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Meat
Wild turtles are opportunistic feeders, eating whatever is available to them in terms of protein for growth and development – fish, worms or dead marine animals are a primary source. Captive turtles should ideally consume a diet consisting of 70% to 80% leafy green vegetables like kale, collard greens, turnips and mustard greens plus high-protein meat sources like thyme, chives, beef liver or chicken gizzards for maximum nutrition; small amounts of fruit such as low sugar fruits like berries or melons should also be fed regularly.
Different species of sea turtles have differing diets, while some adapt their feeding habits as they mature. Green turtles with serrated jaw structures often feed on plants when adult. Pet stores offer pellets, sticks, or chunks designed specifically for particular turtle species in order to provide balanced nutrition as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
Vegetables
Most turtles in the wild are omnivorous; however, their eating habits vary depending on species and age. Young turtles need a lot of protein to grow and should therefore focus on diets rich in animal products.
As they age, however, their diet begins to change to include more plant matter such as algae, seagrasses, sponges and jellyfish.
Aquatic turtles should be fed a variety of vegetables on a daily basis to ensure they receive enough vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin A deficiency. Some good options for aquatic turtle diets are carrots, squash, bell peppers and leafy greens that should be cut up into smaller pieces for easier eating. It is also important to remove uneaten food regularly from their tank to prevent bacteria growth in their water.
Fruits
Fruits may not be their primary food source for turtles, but they do provide many essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, Vitamin C and antioxidants that contribute to keeping their gut healthy while helping prevent constipation. Fruits also provide essential fibre, which should be consumed on a daily basis by turtles to ensure proper functioning of their digestive tract.
Turtles generally enjoy eating fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries as well as grapes, tropical fruits such as guava and mulberry. It is important to limit their fruit consumption as many have high sugar and phosphorus contents that could harm them.
Before feeding turtles fruits with seeds, it is a good practice to remove these from their shells first and to steer clear of citrus varieties which could potentially wreak havoc with their digestive systems.
Insects
Turtles in their natural environment are omnivores and consume both animal products and plant material, such as vegetables. To replicate this diet in captivity, feed your turtle a diet that includes pellet food, live feeder fish, insects, fruits and vegetables.
Insects such as worms, ants, crickets, flies, snails, beetles grasshoppers and wax worms provide great sources of protein for their respective hosts, but can also eat shrimp slugs and various types of mollusks as food sources.
Additionally, they feed on amphibians such as tadpoles and frogs, earthworms, boiled eggs and birds and mammals – with carnivorous foods comprising two thirds of the diet for juvenile turtles and 50% for adults – supplemented by leafy greens, fruits and vegetables.
Fish
Turtles living in the wild often eat sardines, mullet, trout and other fish species as well as insects, snails, fruit and plant materials found nearby such as dead marine animals. At first they may eat more meat than vegetables but eventually evolve towards herbivory as they age.
Pet turtles require a diet consisting of approximately 80-90% vegetables such as kale and collard greens and 10-20% fruits for optimal health. Other nutritious food sources for them are carrots, squash and green beans – even flowers like dandelions and hibiscus can provide essential nutritional needs.
Do not feed turtles bread or foods high in sodium or preservatives; their bodies have evolved alongside their natural environment, and giving them food not suited to it could harm them. Furthermore, never give a turtle lunch meat or any cooked food products; their bodies cannot handle this form of nourishment and it could even harm their immune systems.
