Box turtle what do they eat

Try shredded carrots and sweet potatoes, green beans raw and cucumber. Lettuce of all varieties are a great addition too. Vegetation: Dandelions, clover, leafy weeds, edible aquatic water plants like water lettuce and duckweed that you can grow by yourself. Never give your box turtle fruits or vegetables that have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides without washing them off in soap and water.

Once your turtle becomes a juvenile, you can reduce feedings from daily to two to three times per week. Feed your turtle mid morning after she has had a chance to warm up. Place the food on a tile or shallow dish so they can easily get to it. Try moving the plate to a secluded location as some turtles like to eat alone.

I have 3 female and 3 male desert ornate turtles. I have kept them separated for almost 2 years. I had a surprise baby emerge about 2 weeks ago. I her in a large container to separate her. She hunted a worm and ate the tip of it several days ago. I am trying different things, but she is not interested and just hides.

Anyone have advice? Appreciate it! Hi did you get her to eat? I rescued a baby box turtle about a week ago, she has to not even be a month old yet, maybe just about.

She has only eaten live worms from the backyard so far! Do you have any tips?! Feeding a baby Box turtle is like feeding any new baby. It takes time, patience, and consistency. Food needs to be varied. What did not work a week ago might work today.

They are mostly carnivores, so try insects, invertebrates, and dead animal matter. They need calcium and Vitamin A. Some protein sources can be sardines, crickets, mealworms, and available insects. Fruits can range from berries, grapes, strawberries, bananas, even apples, and oranges.

Veggies high in vitamin A is carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato raw , Feed your turtle mid-morning after she has a chance to warm up. Veggies rich in Vitamin A are great, so squash was a good choice.

Try shredded carrots and sweet potatoes. Green beans raw and cucumber. Lettuce of all varieties. Even though turtles have a hard shell and live a long life, generally, a turtle who stops eating is not a good sign.

Small changes in the environment can have a big impact on your pet. It can disrupt their normal bodily functions. There are a number of reasons why a tortoise will stop eating. Is the temperature correct and consistent? Tortoises are ectothermic or cold-blooded; they produce very little body heat. Are attracted to brightly colored fruits and vegetables: tomato, squash, carrots, red bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe.

Dark, leafy greens such as romaine, kale, collards, dandelion, mustard greens, and broccoli are preferred over iceberg lettuce. Variety is the key to a healthy appetite and good health. Supplement the diet with a weekly dusting of a phosphorus-free calcium powder such as RepCal or ground cuttlebone. Fresh food and water should be provided daily. Housing North American box turtles are listed as a threatened species. Only those turtles that have been raised in captivity should be kept as pets. Enclosures should mimic the natural environment of your box turtle.

Adjust the type of enclosure to best fit the type of box turtle you have. Petkeen is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commision. Learn More. Box Turtles are hardy reptiles with long lifespans in both the wild and in captivity. These turtles can easily live for years when cared for properly, and the number one factor in their longevity is a healthy diet.

All Box Turtles are omnivores, and as such, they will eat a wide variety of animal and plant-based foods both in captivity and in the wild. The proportion of these foods depend on both the age and species of Box Turtle, as some are more carnivorous than others. In the wild, Box Turtles can typically be found roaming wooded areas, eating a largely omnivorous diet.

There are 6 species of Box Turtle and various subspecies that can be found in Northern America, and their diet will depend in large part on their unique locality. While shopping for box turtle food, remember that buying the cheapest food simply means that you'll need to add more supplements to your pet's diet. Always choose high-quality food that offers the best nutritional components, and then concentrate on healthy treats.

Just like with humans, it's all about balance. What Box Turtles Eat in the Wild American box turtles are happy roaming the woods and enjoying a varied omnivorous diet.

Commercial Turtle Meal Box turtle meal can be purchased in pet stores that carry supplies for reptiles and fish. Fresh Foods for Box Turtles Besides commercially-produced turtle food, you should try to mix up a salad and offer a variety of live snacks. Cut grapes Carrot pieces or grated carrots Dandelions Mushrooms not wild Strawberries Cut cantaloupe Earthworms Mealworms Sow worms One thing to note about box turtles is their inability to eat large or difficult-to-pierce foods. Feeding a Box Turtle While box turtles enjoy grazing on small snacks of a varied nature, many box turtles , especially babie box turtles who are adjusting to their enclosure, have difficulty eating some foods.

Additional Box Turtle Feeding Tips Here are a few other helpful tips to ensure your pet eats properly. Always vary your box turtle's diet as much as possible so he doesn't become bored with his food. If you primarily stick to commercial turtle meal, rotate between quality brands. Don't overfeed live foods like mealworms or crickets. When a turtle enjoys eating these foods and gets them often, he will certainly get bored with plain meal and vegetables.