What Do Turtles Eat Everyday?

Question

So I have a new turtle I found on the road and im wondering what do turtles eat? I know turtles eat alot of stuff and actually found a good blog about what turtles eat at http://www.theturtlehut.blogspot.com
but I was wondering from other people do turtles eat strawberries or anything? Thanks

Answer 1

passionateone

You should never keep a turtle that you found in the wild. Purchasing one is your better bet. Less chances of disease and illness. Turtles as hatchlings should be fed everyday, but as they go towards adulthood they don't need to eat everyday. Every second to third day....

All I have to add here is no matter what kind of turtle it needs a balanced diet. This includes the pellets, protein, plant matter (Which by the way includes ROMAINE LETTUCE, not iceberg-iceberg has no value only offers WATER!) and cuttle bone or eggshells for calcium and beak control...

The odd treat and fruit can be offered as well...as alot of fruit goes through their systems like wild-fire! Do not give spinach or broccoli as it goes through them too, is no good for them and makes things messy.

If you need a list of healthy foods other then pellets to offer just email me from my profile.

Hope this helps and good luck with your turtle if you decide to keep him/her.

Answer 2

TURTLES DO NOT EAT FREAKING LETTUCE!!!!
Or at least they shouldn't. Why do people think this?

Each species of turtles requires it's own unique diet, and until you identify it, nobody will be able to give you a good answer.
However, taking turtles out of the wild frequently damages the population, and most of them die anyway, due to improper care.
My advice is to release it where you found it (but not on the road.)

Answer 3

It all depends on the turtle. I have a red ear slider that is a water turtle and I just feed him pelets and feeder fish. I think there are pelets out there for other types of turtles too. You just have to make sure the turtle gets the calcium it needs. ^_^



Oh and yeah...dont feed your turtle lettuce...lol. =/

Answer 4

Actually TW is right, they love lettuce. I have two turtles, one likes fish but loves pellets, the other loves to kill the fish (and the other turle lol) but will accept pellets. What is it living in? I have one of those blue pools (the hard kind) with landscaping sand to get out and drift wood. I float zucchini leave on the top of the water and they eat the leaves. Leave the lettuce out of the water, and buy fish (goldfish and minnows, some of both) at like Meijers or Pet Supplies Plus (12 for a buck, minnows, 15 cents each for the goldfish) so it has a chance to choose. At nght my turtles come in, one to a tank and one to a tote. They really just need water to eat and sleep in. Good luck. Don't feed them a lot of lettuce, maybe once a month. Water plants (like lily pads) are good for them too, they will eat them. You can try fruit, but they really don't eat it unless you hand feed it to them ( I do). So bananas, maybe not strawberries, apple, carrot, and grapes. Assort the diet and make it work for it. If you hand feed, it may seem like teasing, but with dead fish let him grab it and then yank it like a real fish would, make it chase after the food. If you don't they get fat and lose interest in being to active in what they do in the wild.

Answer 5

If you found an RES try feeding them crickets or goldfish, but the oldfish will be too fast for him so you'd have to wait until they die, but if it's a land turtle, they eat grassand mostly vegetables.

Answer 6

so your asking what do turtles eat? Well I figured this out years ago, turtles actually eat lettuce. When I first figured out what do turtles eat it hit me like a brick,lol. So just feed the turtle lettuce everyday and it will eat it. So what did you do with the turtle, are you planning on keeping it? I have been asked "what do turtles eat" all the time, so heres your answer. enjoy.

Answer 7

Hi I have three red ear turtles and i wouldnt recommend strawberries. You can give them carrots sliced thou lettuce leafy GREEN lettuce not the core cabbage is good (red cabbage of course and peas are good as for fruits well personnally i would stick to veggies.

Answer 8

well you got to give more information, is it a water turtle? land?.but your not supposed to keep turtles from the wild they're harder to take care of and sometimes its illegal, go to the pet store they've got lots of turtles :-)

Answer 9

All depends on what kind of turtle or tortoise you found. Diet can vary greatly. Check out this site for more turtle/tortoise info.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm

Answer 10

Fresh vegetables should always be offered, regardless if your RES shows interest in them. The right combination of vegetables can offer a balance of calcium and vitamins A and K. Aquatic plants are also beneficial, especially since it would be similar to what wild RES consume. Older RES especially should consume more vegetables and aquatic plants. Expect an adult to have a diet that is about 75% plant based. Be aware that there are some vegetables that have a poor calcium / phosphorus ratio and fruits are considered to be a small and rare treat. A lack of vegetables may also cause a Vitamin K deficiency. This shortage disrupts intestinal bacteria and may reveal itself with a bleeding mouth.

Collards and other plants from the Brassica group may also inhibit iodine absorption, resulting in goiters. Though that is not completely proven, they are considered to be acceptable in small amounts. Adding kelp, which is rich in iodine, is believed to counteract any potential effects. A high-purine diet can cause high levels of uric acid. This presence can lead to gout.
Comment: There are several good on-line sources of reference material regarding turtle feeding (see bottom of page) and we encourage you to read them. You will also discover occasional conflicting information in addition to old, uninformed statements. It is your decision on how you want to interpret this content for feeding information. This feeding list and guide will receive regular updates to provide up-to-date recommendations.
Fresh vegetable matter is highly recommended over their frozen counterparts. Although frozen varieties are convenient, they are only acceptable in limited usage. Thiaminase enzymes can develop in frozen greens, which would break down thiamin and result in a Vitamin B1 deficiency.
Greens and Vegetables

Beneficial and recommended (Staple foods)
This is the main volume of an adult slider’s diet. Younger RES should be introduced to these items early, though they may show no interest. A RES could safely receive these on a daily basis. Dandelion leaves
Green Leaf lettuce
Red Leaf lettuce
Turnip greens (leaves only)


Moderate (Limited usage)
In small and occasional use, these vegetables help keep your turtle’s diet varied and balanced. These items have good nutritional value but may be potentially harmful if used in excessive quantities. Carrots
Endives, Escarole, Chicory
Green bean
Kale
Pumpkin
Romaine lettuce
Squash
Sweet potato
Zucchini


Use rarely (Not a staple)
These items have little benefit compared to other options. They may serve as filler material, a “treat”, or to add variety. These should not be offered in an unbalanced diet. They may be potentially harmful if offered in excessive quantities. Limit the amount of collards (Brassica group) offered. Collards (various)
Iceberg lettuce
Mustard greens
Red pepper
Tomato


Not recommended (Medium and high-risk foods)
These vegetables provide little or no benefit and can be harmful for RES in excessive quantities and in unbalanced diets. These items are questionable and may contain goitrogenic compounds, large concentrations of oxalic and/or phosphorus. Most of these are part of the Brassica and Chenopodiacea groups. Amaranth
Beet greens
Bok Choi / Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Celery
Chard
Chives
Mushroom
Parsley
Peas
Rhubarb
Spinach


Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants are believed to be a very healthy part of a slider’s diet. This type of vegetation would naturally be available to wild RES and should present little risk. Aquatic plants are not readily available to most keepers and may be prove to be expensive if regularly used. In the effort to offer variety, these are good choices. Amazon Swords
Anacharis*
Duckweed*
Frogbit
Hornwort
Nasturtium
Pondweed
Water Fern*
Water Hyacinth*
Water Lettuce
Water Lily*
Water Milfoil
Water Starwort

*Highly recommended

Fruits

Fruit is not a natural food wild RES would normally encounter and its use should be limited to rare and in very small portions. They are generally high in sugar and can be offered as a treat or to entice eating. Like other plant material, they should be served fresh, raw and thoroughly washed. Seeds and skins should be removed, unless noted. These should only be offered once a month or less. Avoid giving your turtle any forms of nuts, pits or seeds.

Moderate (Limited usage) Cantaloupe / Melon (rind optional)
Mango
Papaya
Prickly pear pads, fruit


Use rarely (Not a staple)Apple (shredded)
Banana
Blackberry
Blueberry
Citrus (various)
Grape
Peach - Nectarine (pits removed)
Pear (various)
Plum - Cherry (pits removed)
Strawberry
Watermelon


Additional Resources