Have you recently brought home a western painted turtle and are wondering what they eat? Fortunately, these reptiles are quite omnivorous.
These turtles hunt for food in the water, swimming with their webbed feet as they flush prey from the surface of the pond. They eat aquatic insects, plants and algae.
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Veggies
Fresh vegetables are an integral part of western painted turtle food. Not only do they provide essential vitamins and minerals to these reptiles, but they are also packed with beneficial amino acids.
Vegetables that Western painted turtles enjoy eating include green beans, cooked sweet potatoes, boiled carrots and squash. Some leafy greens such as kale or mustard greens also make nutritious snacks for these reptiles.
Unfortunately, some green vegetables may not be beneficial to turtles. For instance, iceberg lettuce is mostly water and doesn’t provide much nutritional value.
Spinach contains oxalic acid which may be toxic for turtles, so it’s best to only feed your pet this vegetable when absolutely necessary.
Cucumber is another safe vegetable to offer your western painted turtle as it contains calcium. Be sure to pair it with other nutritious veggies and fruits like apples for maximum nutritional benefit.
Fruits
Fruits provide essential vitamins and minerals for your turtle’s diet, but should only be a treat on occasion.
Wild painted turtles eat a variety of plants and insects. They also consume fish and tadpoles.
For your western painted turtle’s healthiest diet, offer them fresh vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and other leafy greens.
Your turtle can also enjoy fruits such as melon, berries and pears; however it’s best to cut them into small pieces before giving them to your turtle.
Fruits like strawberries can cause shell deformities in turtles if fed large quantities. Furthermore, these fruits contain oxalic acid which prevents turtles from abstaining calcium.
Insects
Western painted turtles in the wild eat a variety of foods. They feed on insects, worms, small fish and other creatures found in the water.
They also enjoy some plant food such as water hyacinth, duckweed and water lettuce.
Dried insect foods are another ideal option for these creatures, as they contain essential proteins and fats that your turtle may not get from regular pet food sources.
Fresh fruit can be offered as an occasional reward to your turtle, but make sure it does not make up more than 10% of their diet.
If you do decide to offer some fruit to your turtle, it is advisable to wash it first. Doing this helps prevent fungus and bacteria from growing on it.
Fish
Western painted turtles primarily feed on fish, bugs and vegetation in their native environments. In these waters they will consume whatever is available to them, including larvae, worms, insects and small fish.
Captive brine shrimps can be fed live, dried or freeze-dried (provided they are free from bacteria and parasites). Brine shrimps provide your pet with plenty of protein as well as other essential nutrients.
A premium turtle pellet made of salmon and herring can provide your pet with an excellent source of protein. These fish are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals with no added sugars or preservatives.
For baby painted turtles, feed them turtle pellets daily. As they mature, gradually transition them over to adult food but also incorporate fish for a balanced balance of foods.
