Turtles are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever seems appealing or appetizing to them. Their diet should include various sources of nutrition to ensure they receive all their essential needs.
Animals of this nature may be either herbivorous or omnivorous in diet. Both require ample protein and calcium. As snacks they often enjoy fruits and vegetables.
Contents
Protein
As a keeper of a mazuri turtle, it’s essential that protein plays an integral part of its diet. To ensure proper development and growth for your reptile, providing it with a variety of proteins and nutritional supplements is critical.
A healthy aquatic turtle diet should consist of 50-70% greens and 20-35% protein. Leafy greens provide calcium and vitamin D, while protein helps your turtle develop strong bones.
You may add sweetness to your turtle’s diet with small pieces of fruit; however, fruit is high in sugar content and should only be offered occasionally.
Feed your turtle according to its size and age; this is especially important for juvenile turtles or baby turtles. If you are uncertain as to the appropriate amount, consult a veterinary professional as overfeeding can cause many health issues such as rapid growth, premature sexual maturation, shell disfigurements (pyramiding), organ failure or even death in some instances.
Carbohydrates
Reptiles and amphibians depend on carbohydrates for survival and good health. Since most species in these groups are herbivorous, their diet must include an appropriate combination of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for proper development.
Ideal conditions should provide these creatures with fresh fruit and vegetables as well as various kinds of herbs for sustenance, with greens such as dandelion greens, endive, collard greens, and turnip greens being particularly recommended as food choices for their environment.
These turtles also feed on grasses and cacti pads stripped of spines, dandelions, flowers from hibiscus plants such as rose of Sharon or mulberry trees as well as any other plants they encounter in their natural environment.
Mazuri Aquatic Turtle Diet is an excellent food to provide carnivorous turtles and is often recommended by most zoos. Designed as floating pellet food that can easily be thrown into the water, this diet meets all their nutritional requirements for optimal performance.
Vitamins
An essential component of a nutritious turtle diet is including vitamins and minerals in its composition. These vital elements play an essential role in reproduction and digestion processes within their bodies.
Turtles’ diets should consist of various food sources, including insects and fish as protein sources and plant-based food to provide vitamins A, B, C and E. Commercially produced pellets may also provide adequate nourishment.
Mazuri’s Fresh Water Turtle Diet is an excellent solution for anyone seeking a complete and nutritionally balanced food without needing additional supplements. Floating naturally on the water surface for your turtle to consume without fouling up its environment is another benefit of choosing Mazuri’s food.
Minerals
Turtles rely on food from both plants and animals for essential nutrition throughout their natural lives, including protein (to promote growth and repair of tissues), carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Turtles feed on both plants and meat; their diet varies based on species, location and season.
Turtles feed on vegetation as well as small animals such as snails and insects in nature, as well as dead prey items like fish or lizards that they find lying around.
Though commercial turtle foods may contain plenty of essential vitamins and minerals, they often don’t include everything that your pet needs for optimal health. Therefore, you should provide your turtle with multivitamin supplements two or three times weekly to keep their systems functioning optimally.
