is it fine if my turtle eats ants?

Answer 1

What do you mean?

1. I found a turtle food that is mostly ant parts or ant eggs (like some of the cheaper foods). ANSWER- This is a terible food item for turtles. Toss it and buy good food.

2. I found some ants and want to drop them in my turtle's home. ANSWER- No. Use good turtle foods instead.

3. Ants occasionally get into my turtle's home and it eats them. ANSWER- This is OK as long as the turtle has a good diet otherwise, BUT you should work to keep ants out.

Answer 2

Do Turtles Eat Ants

Answer 3

It's best to keep the ants away from the turtles. They can bite them and somehow cause larvae to grow under thier skin. Not a good thing. Stick to the worms, lettuce, strawberries, corn & peas. http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/103662/sophie_adams.html

Answer 4

Well, occasionally it may be OK. However, I wouldn't recommend them as a staple; generally ants are not very nutritious and some, like fire ants are rather acidic & may pose a danger to your turtle.

Answer 5

Certain ants have poison in them. That's why when we are bitten by one, the affected spot on our skin becomes swollen.

I think it's okay as long as it does not eat all of the ants in an ant trail.

Answer 6

Its very normal but you shouldnt rely on that as their main diet and it would be better if you avoid feeding them ants since they are not very nutricious and might cause your turtles a problem in the long run. I feed mine high protien pellets, crickets, mealworms, dreid worms, boiled chicken, live fish and squid... lettuce and grapes too. Avoid feeding them goldfish too because their meat is too fat and are not nutricious what-so-ever.

Answer 7

Sliders are very omnivorous and will more than gladly take live prey. The variety of prey you can offer includes various insects, snails, small fish and worms. Offering live prey can be exciting for both the keeper and turtle but there are certain concerns and restrictions. Live prey may not contain much nutritional content and may harbor parasites and diseases. A small turtle can also be hurt from a larger prey or by one with a tough exoskeleton. Fish may contain thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys Vitamin B1 (thiamin). Shellfish may contain bacteria that causes shell rot and may be high in purines.

Though RES may readily eat anything, it is the responsibility of the keeper to offer a varied and balanced diet. The items of this section should be used as moderate and rare treats in small portions. These items can also be useful to entice a reluctant RES to eat. For an increase in benefit, certain live foods and commercially made treats may be fortified with vitamins and calcium though “dusting” or “gut-loading”. Be certain that the foods you use are clean and free from biological and chemical contaminates and pollutants.
Comment: There are some in the turtle community that use foods that we do not recommend. These opinions will vary and no one is either entirely correct or incorrect, though we will warn of potential hazards when possible. There are also uninformed keepers, pet store employees and just about anyone else has an opinion on what to feed turtles. Experiment with what is recommended here and not what you want to try on a whim. Consequently, foods not recommended here are not advisable without additional research on your part.
Aquatics (Live Prey)

Aquatic creatures are viewed as a good way to offer some variety and prey for your turtles. Even though they may not have the same nutritional density of other foods, it is recommended that they be used in limited amounts. Younger RES will already have a primary protein source from pellets and older RES should be fed mainly vegetables. There is a greater presence of parasites and disease in wild caught foods. Unfortunately, store bought prey may also harbor them and they may have been kept in poor and stressful conditions. Be aware of offering something that may be difficult to digest or swallow.

Moderate (Limited usage) Freshwater snails
Apple snail
Pond snail
Feeder fish
Guppies
Rosy red minnows


Use rarely (Not a staple) Mosquito larvae
Ghost shrimp
Brine shrimp


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods) Crayfish
Goldfish


Insects & Worms (Live Prey)

Insects such as crickets and earthworms are good choices to use as the occasional treat. Live varieties are usually not very nutritious, though some can be “gut-loaded” or “dusted” to enhance what they might be deficient in. Some people also choose to catch or dig up these treats for their turtles. It is fine under most circumstances but not a good idea if you or your neighbors use herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals in your yards and gardens. If they are used in your general area, then you must consider them as a possible source of contamination.

Moderate (Limited usage) Crickets (Pinhead)
(preferably gut-loaded or dusted)
Earthworms
Silkworms


Use rarely (Not a staple) Waxworms


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods) Mealworms
Slugs
Tubifex worms


Commercial Turtle Treats
(Canned, Processed, Frozen or Freeze-dried)

Prey frozen for more than 30 days as well as freeze-dried offerings should be parasite free. Freezing, however, does not remove thiaminase from fish and frozen prey must be thawed before they are used. Avoid the generous quantity described by the product’s instructions and severely limit these treats. These processed varieties will likely have some added nutrients, though some will have excessively high protein and/or sodium. They may be useful as a quick treat or to entice eating.

Moderate (Limited usage) Bloodworms
Crickets (Pinhead)
(preferably gut-loaded or dusted)


Use rarely (Not a staple) Brine shrimp
Feeder fish (Frozen)
Gammarus (Shrimp)
Krill (Shrimp-like invertebrate)


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods)
Mealworms
Snails (De-shelled)
Tubifex worms


Other (Various)

There are various other foods that are intended for people or other animals that may be offered to turtles. While some of these items can be useful as a treat or to entice eating, they might require careful preparation and there are many things to avoid. Never feed your turtle raw meat since it is very unhealthy and a contamination risk. Processed and canned foods contain large amounts of sodium, additives and preservatives that may be unhealthy.

Use rarely (Not a staple) Boiled egg whites
Boiled white chicken, turkey meat
Salmon (Canned – in water)
Tuna fish (Canned – in water)


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods) Anchovies, Herring, Mackerel, Sardines
Beef, hamburger meat (cooked or raw)
Bread, grain, pasta
Cat or dog food
Deli meats
Eggshells (crushed or powdered)
Pinkies - Mice
Pork (cooked or raw)
Poultry – Chicken, Turkey (raw)
Scallops
Shellfish, Shrimp