What Do Turtles Eat
One concern that an owner has when acquiring a new pet turtle is what do turtles eat? There is a great deal of information available on pet turtles these days that can help these new pet owners provide the best diet for their turtle.
Knowing which type of turtle you have is the first step in learning specific information such as what do turtles eat. Different species of turtles have different needs in their diets that will keep them nutritionally balanced and healthy. The different types of turtles have varying appetites that would include carnivorous, herbivorous or omnivorous. So if you are wondering what do turtles eat, learning which turtle species you have will be helpful.
Semi-aquatic turtles, such as Red Eared Sliders and snapping turtles, are omnivorous creatures. This means that they require both meat and vegetation in their diets. These types of turtles will need plant material, such as greens, vegetables and fruits in addition to meat selections of insects and protein pellets offered for sale in pet stores, answering the question what do turtles eat. Your particular turtle may show a preference for one type over the other, and it is fine to indulge them along those lines as long as you ensure they are getting adequate amounts of each to balance its diet.
Tortoises are usually all herbivores. For those who wonder what do turtles eat when they own an herbivore, the answer is that plant material will account for their entire diet. Some professionals state that tortoises in captivity require some type of animal protein supplement in their diet; however, it has not been convincingly argued. Most agree that if the tortoise has a well balanced diet of vegetation that there is no need to supplement. Lettuce alone is not a balanced diet, even though tortoises seem to enjoy it tremendously. Add fruit, other greens, tomatoes and hibiscus flowers to balance out their dietary needs.
Many turtles are carnivores. Aquatic turtles are primarily carnivores, and will need to have 60-90% of their diet contain protein such as insects. Some vegetation will be taken by the carnivorous turtle, although limited, so be sure to offer it to your turtle from time to time in small amounts.
It is important to note that food outside of a particular turtle’s normal diet should not be forced. Fast food and table food are not meant for turtles, and while some people think it is amusing to see the reaction of turtle fed such items, it is not a healthy choice for them and can actually do them harm. Instead, when you want to know what do turtles eat, check with a professional for guidance and then stick to your turtle’s normal diet to ensure a healthy pet.