Turtles And Slug Meals: What You Need To Know

Slugs are a favourite food of turtles, including box turtles, wood turtles, and tortoises. Slugs are high in protein, and while they can be beneficial as an occasional treat, they should not form a significant part of a turtle's diet. Slugs can carry poison, and their slime can cause issues around a turtle's mouth.

Wood turtles, box turtles, and tortoises all eat slugs

In Vermont, wood turtles' diets consist of abundant snails called ambersnails (family Succineidae), likely the blunt ambersnail (Oxyloma retusum). These snails commonly inhabit wet meadows where they feed on decaying leaves of dead or dormant plants. Given that wood turtles spend a lot of time foraging in floodplains, especially in the spring when conditions are wet, it is likely that their diet includes a lot of ambersnails.

Box turtles also eat slugs and snails. A user on Reddit confirmed that their three-toed box turtles "absolutely love them".

Tortoises will also eat slugs and snails from time to time, although it is advised not to feed them these on purpose as they contain protein which is bad for med tortoises.

Slugs can be a healthy treat for turtles, as they are high in protein

Slugs are a great source of protein for turtles. In the wild, turtles such as wood turtles and box turtles are known to eat a lot of slugs and snails. In fact, slugs may be a box turtle's favorite food. Before the common use of pesticides, box turtles were often kept in gardens to eat these pests.

Hatchlings and juveniles of the wood turtle species eat a larger proportion of protein-rich foods, and slugs are a great natural source of protein. While slugs may not be a staple of a turtle's diet, they can certainly be a healthy treat.

However, it is important to note that there are some risks associated with feeding slugs to turtles. The slime produced by slugs can cause issues if it gets around the turtle's mouth, and there is also a risk that the slug may have been poisoned. Therefore, it is recommended to only feed your turtles slugs that you know have not been exposed to any pesticides or other toxins.

Additionally, the slime secreted by slugs and the shells of snails can get stuck to a turtle's beak for prolonged periods of time, which may lead to overestimating the frequency at which turtles eat these gastropods. Despite this, slugs can still be a nutritious part of a turtle's diet, especially for growing hatchlings and juveniles.

In terms of plant-based sources of protein for turtles, soybeans are a good option. They are high in protein and can be fed to turtles in their raw form or as a supplement in their diet. It is important to ensure that the soybeans are not cooked, as this can affect their nutritional value and may be harmful to turtles.

Slugs can be used as bait to catch turtles

However, it is important to exercise caution when using slugs as bait. Slugs secrete a slime that can cause issues if it gets around the mouth of a turtle, and there is also a risk that the slug has been poisoned. If you are collecting slugs to use as bait, ensure they are sourced from places that have not been sprayed or treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

Additionally, while slugs are a good source of protein for turtles, they should not form a large part of a turtle's diet. This is because the slime from slugs, as well as snail shells, can get stuck to a turtle's beak for prolonged periods. Therefore, while slugs can be used as bait to catch turtles, it is important to do so sparingly and only as a treat for the turtle.

When using slugs as bait, try to find larger slugs that are more likely to be noticed by the turtle. You can also experiment with different types of slugs to see which ones the turtle prefers. For example, if you are in Louisiana, you may come across spotted garden slugs, which are a variety that box turtles will eat.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively use slugs as bait to catch turtles, while also ensuring the health and safety of the turtle.

Slugs can carry diseases that are harmful to turtles

Slugs can be a nutritious addition to a turtle's diet, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is important to be cautious when feeding slugs to turtles due to the potential health risks associated with these slimy creatures.

Firstly, slugs can carry harmful parasites that can make turtles very sick. These parasites can cause respiratory problems, lethargy, and loss of appetite in turtles. One example of a disease caused by parasites is "slug face", which is characterised by viscous brown goo oozing out of a turtle's mouth. While it may not be life-threatening, it is certainly an unpleasant condition for turtles to experience.

In addition to parasites, slugs may also come into contact with pesticides used in gardens or farms. If a turtle consumes a slug that has been exposed to pesticides, it could lead to poisoning. The symptoms of pesticide poisoning can vary from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe neurological problems or even death. It is crucial to be aware of this risk when considering feeding wild slugs to turtles.

Furthermore, slugs can be carriers of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can be found in their slime and excrement. These bacteria can contaminate surfaces and food, leading to food poisoning and other illnesses in turtles. Salmonella, in particular, can cause serious health issues, including diarrhoea, and in severe cases, it may even spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other body sites, resulting in death if left untreated.

To minimise the risks associated with feeding slugs to turtles, it is recommended to obtain captive-bred, parasite-free slugs from pet stores or specialised reptile food suppliers. These slugs are raised in controlled environments free of harmful chemicals and parasites, making them a safer option for your pet turtle. Additionally, it is important to monitor your turtle's health after feeding them slugs and seek veterinary advice if any changes or concerns arise.

Slugs can be found in gardens and are considered pests

Slugs are common pests in gardens and landscapes. They are considered pests because they feed on a variety of living plants and decaying plant matter, creating irregular holes with smooth edges on leaves and flowers. They are particularly damaging to vegetable and berry crops as they eat both the leaves and the fruit. Slugs are also serious pests of turfgrass seedlings and ripening fruits that are close to the ground, such as strawberries and tomatoes.

Slugs are land-dwelling mollusks that are closely related to clams. They lack the protection of a shell, so they tend to feed at night or on rainy days when they are shielded from the sun. During the day, they hide under rocks or in other dark, moist locations. Slugs are challenging to get rid of because they are nocturnal, and their damage is often blamed on other, more visible garden pests.

There are several methods to control and get rid of slugs in gardens. One way is to use cultural practices such as avoiding loose mulches and watering the garden in the morning to allow the garden to dry before nightfall. Switching to drip irrigation also helps keep plant foliage dry. Planting resistant plants with heavily fragranced or fuzzy foliage is another way to deter slugs. Encouraging natural predators such as birds, snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, and ground beetles can also help control slug populations.

Trapping and removing slugs is another effective method of slug control. This can be done by using boards, inverted melon rinds, or traps baited with beer. Using wool pellets, copper barriers, or organic slug baits are other options for repelling and killing slugs.

Frequently asked questions