How To Get Your Box Turtle To Eat Vegetables

Box turtles can be fussy eaters. While they are omnivores, eating both plant- and animal-based foods, some owners report that their turtles are more carnivorous, preferring insects, worms, and fruit to vegetables. If you're struggling to get your box turtle to eat vegetables, you could try a few different strategies. Firstly, you could try offering a variety of vegetables to see if your turtle has a preference for certain types or flavours. You could also try withholding food for a couple of days to increase their hunger, and then offering vegetables, as hunger may encourage them to eat. Another strategy is to mix vegetables with foods that you know your turtle enjoys, such as worms or fruit, or to puree vegetables and smear them onto worms or pellets. Finally, you could try dusting vegetables with a reptile calcium and multivitamin supplement to make them more appealing.

Try starving your turtle for a few days, then offer a diverse diet

If your box turtle is refusing to eat vegetables, you could try the starvation method. This involves not feeding your turtle for a few days and then offering a diverse diet of 50% protein and 50% vegetables, fruits, etc. It is important to note that this method may not work for younger turtles, as they tend to be more carnivorous.

Before attempting this method, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, especially if you are concerned about your turtle's health. Generally, adult box turtles can be fed every other day, while younger turtles need to eat daily.

When offering vegetables to your turtle, it is best to provide a variety of options such as squash, carrots, cactus, and sweet potatoes. Most vegetables are suitable, but some are more nutritious than others. For example, the rinds of summer squash are more nutritious than the flesh, while iceberg lettuce has limited nutritional value.

You can also try different presentation methods, such as shredding, steaming, or grating the vegetables to make them more appealing to your turtle. Additionally, you can mix vegetables with foods that your turtle already enjoys, such as meat or fruit, to encourage vegetable consumption.

Remember, the dietary needs of box turtles vary depending on their age and species, so it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian for specific recommendations.

Mash up soft pellets and smear them on vegetables

If your box turtle is refusing to eat vegetables, one method you can try is to soak some reptomin pellets in water until they are soft, then mash them up and smear them on the vegetables. This method has been tried and tested by other box turtle owners and can be a good way to get your turtle used to the taste of vegetables.

It is important to note that, while young box turtles tend to be primarily carnivorous, adults tend to be herbivorous. As a result, it is recommended that a box turtle's diet should be about 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material. However, different breeds of box turtles have slightly different nutritional needs, so it is always best to consult a veterinarian familiar with box turtles to determine what to feed your pet.

In addition to vegetables, you can also offer your box turtle fruits (in limited quantities, as they are high in sugar) and animal-based protein sources such as mealworms, crickets, and waxworms. It is also important to ensure that your turtle has access to fresh, clean water and supplemental UV light if they are housed indoors.

Feed your turtle insects from pet stores or bait shops

If you're struggling to get your box turtle to eat vegetables, you might want to try feeding it insects from pet stores or bait shops. Box turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. While their diet should be about 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material, younger turtles tend to be primarily carnivores.

Animal-based protein sources are an essential part of a box turtle's diet, and you can purchase these from pet stores or bait shops. Appropriate animal-based protein sources include grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, moths, slugs, earthworms, and hard-boiled eggs. Live prey, such as crickets and worms, should either be purchased from a pet store, bait store, or reptile breeder, or raised inside by the owner.

It is not recommended to collect insects from outside to feed pet turtles, as fertilizers and insecticides can be toxic to turtles. However, if you have a backyard that is organically grown, with no artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, you can supplement your turtle's diet with insects from your yard.

When feeding your turtle insects, it is important to ensure they are an appropriate size. Tough or hard vegetables should be shredded or chopped into small pieces, and the same principle applies to insects with hard exoskeletons.

Remember that a varied diet is key to keeping your box turtle healthy. In addition to insects, offer your turtle a wide variety of plant matter, including dark, leafy greens, and other vegetables, as well as fruits.

Make sure to provide a calcium supplement to prevent metabolic bone disease

Preventing Metabolic Bone Disease in Box Turtles

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a group of conditions that develop when a box turtle doesn't get enough calcium or can't metabolise the calcium in their diet. This can affect their bones, shell, beak and nails, as well as their internal organs, and can shorten their lifespan.

To prevent MBD, it is important to ensure your box turtle gets enough calcium, Vitamin D and UVB exposure.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for a turtle's health. Turtles need calcium for their bones, shell and muscular function.

You can provide calcium to your turtle by feeding them a variety of vegetables, protein pellets and snacks such as crayfish or shrimp. Leafy green vegetables like kale are particularly good sources of calcium.

You can also provide calcium supplements, either in powder form or as a cuttlebone. Cuttlebones are white, chalky shells that turtles can peck at to boost their calcium intake.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is needed for turtles to absorb calcium. Their bodies create Vitamin D when they are exposed to UVB light.

UVB Light

Box turtles require supplemental UVB light if they are kept indoors. UVB light is essential for the proper absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract. The light should be located no more than 12-16 inches from the turtle.

Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio

It's important to maintain the right ratio of calcium to phosphorus in your turtle's diet. Turtles will try to maintain a ratio of about 2:1 (two parts calcium to one part phosphorus) in their bloodstream. If this ratio is off, the body will start pulling calcium from the bones, making them soft.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient, but it binds to calcium and prevents its absorption. Therefore, you should ensure your turtle's calcium level is always higher than its phosphorus level.

Feed your turtle a variety of fruits and vegetables to ensure a balanced diet

Box turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. Young turtles tend to be more carnivorous, while adults tend to be herbivores. As a general rule, a box turtle's diet should be about 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material.

To ensure your turtle gets a balanced diet, feed it a variety of fruits and vegetables. Most plant material fed to box turtles should be vegetables and flowers (80%-90%), and only 10%-20% should be fruit. Dark, leafy greens should make up the largest part of its diet. Yellow, red, and orange vegetables can also be included.

Some acceptable vegetables to feed your turtle include:

• Collard greens
• Beet greens
• Mustard greens
• Broccoli
• Turnip greens
• Alfalfa hay
• Bok choy
• Kale
• Parsley
• Swiss chard
• Watercress
• Clover
• Red or green cabbage
• Savory
• Cilantro
• Kohlrabi
• Bell peppers
• Green beans
• Escarole
• Dandelion

A smaller percentage of the diet can include:

• Cactus
• Various squash
• Sprouts
• Cooked sweet potato
• Parsnips
• Okra
• Cucumber
• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Carrots
• Peas
• Corn

Some fruits to offer your turtle include:

• Apples
• Pears
• Bananas (with skin)
• Mango
• Grapes
• Star fruit
• Raisins
• Peaches
• Tomato
• Guava
• Kiwis
• Melons
• Figs (which are high in calcium)
• Apricots
• Dates
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

Vegetables and fruits can be offered cooked or raw, although raw tends to be more nutritious as cooking can destroy nutrients. Be sure to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before feeding them to your turtle.

Frequently asked questions