Land turtle feeding

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 6 August 2021
Update Date: 1 November 2024
Anonim
How to Feed a Land Turtle | Pet Turtles
Video: How to Feed a Land Turtle | Pet Turtles

Content

THE land turtle is an ideal pet for those people who don't have much space, or for those who prefer to live with animals that are not too noisy. If this is the case for you, the silent and patient turtle is the companion you are looking for.

Despite what is commonly believed, not all species of turtles eat the same thing, let alone ingest leaves. That's why at PeritoAnimal we offer you this practical guide about land turtle feeding. If you want to adopt one of these nice reptiles, you must know everything you need to provide you with a very nutritious diet.

land turtles

If you want to have a land turtle as a companion, you should know that one of the most important elements for its development is food, as a deficiency in it can cause various diseases, while excess food causes growth disorders and obesity, among other health problems.


The land turtle's diet varies according to the species, as some are omnivorous (they eat fruits, vegetables and some animal protein) and others are exclusively herbivores. In either case, the diet should be as varied as possible, trying to imitate all food sources that would have their natural habitat.

The goal is that the variety of foods will provide your turtle with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. develop normally, and that does not have the habit of consuming only one type of food, something that happens very easily in these reptiles.

Balanced diet for land turtles

It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian about the most suitable diet for your turtle depending on the species, however there are some general guidelines on beneficial foods and the serving sizes for most of them.


The main part of the food must be formed by fresh vegetables and vegetables, such as turnip, lettuce, spinach, celery sprig, kale and watercress. It's worth noting that excess lettuce can cause diarrhea, so don't overdo it. Other foods such as carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash should only be offered occasionally and in minimal proportions, as their excessive intake causes health problems. A small portion of fruit, in which the most recommended are apples, watermelons, figs, pears, melon and strawberries. On the other hand, if possible, a good suggestion is to offer the turtles some wild plants like dandelion, flowers, alfalfa, among others.

In omnivorous species, you should occasionally supplement your diet with small amounts of protein, made up of snails, some insects, larvae, slugs and perhaps small pieces of fish and shellfish.


THE proportion of a balanced diet would be the one formed by:

  • 80% greens and vegetables
  • 6% fruit
  • 8% herbs
  • 5% animal protein

While there are commercial foods for land turtles, they do not offer the variety of color, flavor and benefits that good home cooking has. We recommend adding to the diet only occasionally as a supplement.

Some people recommend giving wet dog food, but this is not recommended, as it is food made for another animal species, with the nutritional requirements that this species needs and that will bring nothing good to your turtle. The same happens with food for cats and for rabbits. In addition, you must give your turtle constant access to a source of fresh water, both for drinking and for bathing. The ideal is to put a low container full of water so that she can dive whenever she wants to or just drink a little bit of it without too much effort.

Recommended food for land turtles

Here we leave a list of the recommended foods for land turtles, some of them we have already mentioned and there are also some other suggestions so that you can offer a nutritious and balanced diet to this lovely reptile.

Vegetables and vegetables

  • Chicory
  • Almeirão
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cucumber
  • Hibiscus leaves and flowers
  • Broccoli leaves and flowers
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Arugula
  • Cress
  • Chard
  • Dandelion
  • Alfalfa
  • Flowers

fruit

  • Apple
  • Guava
  • Strawberry
  • Mango
  • Papaya with husk and seeds
  • Melon
  • watermelon
  • Acerola
  • Star fruit
  • Pitanga
  • Jabuticaba
  • Plum
  • Peach
  • Grape
  • Fig

animal protein

  • snails
  • larvae
  • pieces of fish
  • Shellfish

Be sure to check out the article about prohibited foods for land turtles.

General recommendations on feeding land turtles

It's not just the choice of food that's important when it comes to feeding your land turtle, but also the presentation of the different ingredients:

  • Turtles call their attention to colorful food, so an attractive dish will encourage her to eat.
  • All ingredients must be washed, peeled - when necessary - and cut off into suitable pieces for the land turtle to chew effortlessly.
  • Once everything is cut, mix it into a salad. This will prevent the animal from selecting what it will eat and taking advantage of the nutrients it offers. The idea is to vary between the ingredients we suggest so that your turtle learns to eat everything.
  • Never place food directly on the ground or in the garden, use a container for this.
  • No need to add salt, spices or anything extra.
  • Change food 2-3 times a day, offer a main course once a day and small snacks made from watercress leaves, Swiss chard and other vegetables.
  • The water should be changed every day and placed in a shady place.

And to offer your best friend the best care, in addition to being careful with your diet, be sure to consult the most common diseases to prevent their development.