The Box Turtle's Diet: What They Eat And Why

The common box turtle is an omnivore, meaning it eats a variety of both animal and plant-based foods. The diet of a box turtle depends on its age and species, with hatchlings and juveniles tending to be more carnivorous, and adults being mostly herbivorous. In the wild, box turtles eat berries, insects, roots, flowers, eggs, and amphibians. In captivity, their diet should be about 50% plant-based and 50% animal-based, with most of the plant matter coming from vegetables and flowers, and only a small amount from fruit.

Animal-based foods

Box turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. Generally, younger turtles tend to be more carnivorous, while adults tend to be more herbivorous. Here are some animal-based foods that are suitable for box turtles:

Insects and Worms

Box turtles have a healthy appetite for insects, especially in their youth. Some good options include crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, moths, slugs, and beetles. Live prey can be purchased from pet stores or reptile breeders, but it is not recommended to collect insects from outside due to the potential presence of toxic fertilisers and insecticides.

Meat

Small chunks of cooked meat, such as chicken and beef heart, can be offered occasionally. Raw meat may pose a risk of bacterial contamination. It is important to note that cooked meat is generally safer than raw meat for your turtle.

Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a good source of animal-based protein for box turtles.

Commercial Food

Commercially available reptile pellets are an excellent source of protein for box turtles. Moistened, high-quality, low-fat dog food can also be given occasionally, but it should not be a staple in their diet.

When feeding animal-based foods to your box turtle, it is important to ensure a balanced diet. The recommended diet for box turtles is about 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material. It is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian familiar with box turtles to determine the specific nutritional needs of your pet.

Vegetables and fruits

As omnivores, box turtles eat a variety of plant- and animal-based foods. Vegetables and fruits should make up 80% to 90% of a box turtle's diet, with animal-based foods accounting for the remaining 10% to 20%.

Dark, leafy greens should be the largest part of a box turtle's vegetable intake. Good options include collard greens, beet greens, mustard greens, kale, parsley, Swiss chard, and dandelion greens. When feeding these greens, it's important to be cautious as they contain oxalates that can bind to calcium and other trace minerals, preventing their absorption in the turtle's intestinal tract. It is recommended to feed these greens sparingly and balance them with other vegetables.

Other acceptable vegetables include broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, bell peppers, green beans, cucumber, asparagus, carrots, peas, and corn. These vegetables can be part of the box turtle's diet but should not be the main part of their daily meals. It's also important to note that iceberg lettuce and celery should be avoided as they are high in fibre and water content and have poor nutritional value.

When it comes to fruits, the amount should be less than 10% of the box turtle's daily food intake. While turtles often prefer fruit to vegetables, fruits are high in sugar and less nutritious. Good options for fruits include apples, pears, bananas, mangoes, grapes, strawberries, and melons. Figs, apricots, and dates are particularly healthy options as they are high in calcium.

Both vegetables and fruits can be offered to box turtles raw or cooked, but raw food tends to be more nutritious as cooking can destroy some nutrients. It is important to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before feeding them to the turtle.

Calcium and phosphorus balance

Maintaining a healthy calcium and phosphorus balance in your box turtle's diet is crucial to prevent metabolic bone disease. The recommended ratio of calcium to phosphorus is at least 1.5:1, but a 2:1 ratio is even better. However, it's important to note that the overall balance is more critical than the ratio in each food item.

To achieve this balance, feed your turtle a wide variety of foods with a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. You can refer to calcium-to-phosphorus ratio tables for vegetables and fruits to help guide your choices. Emphasise foods with a ratio greater than 1.0. For example, collard greens have a ratio of 14.5:1, while bananas, a favourite among turtles, have a lower ratio of 0.3:1, so they should be fed in moderation.

Dark leafy greens such as collard greens, parsley, endive, dandelion greens, beet tops, spinach, and kale are excellent sources of calcium. Just be mindful of the oxalates in these greens, as they can bind to calcium and reduce its absorption. Other good options include Chinese cabbage, cabbage, blackberries, apples (with the skin), butternut squash, and romaine lettuce (in moderation due to its low nutritional density and potential to cause diarrhoea).

While it's essential to monitor the calcium and phosphorus balance, you don't need to completely avoid foods with lower ratios. Just use them as occasional treats rather than regular feedings.

Additionally, consider supplementing your turtle's diet with calcium powder once a week. If your turtle is housed indoors, use a supplement that also contains vitamin D3 to aid in calcium absorption, but be careful not to overdose, as turtles can have too much D3.

Water requirements

Water is an essential requirement for box turtles. They need to have constant access to clean, fresh water in a shallow container that they can easily climb into and won't drown in. The water level should reach up to their chin when their head is out of their shell. Box turtles use their water bowl for drinking and bathing, and they also defecate in their water, so it's important to clean the bowl and refill it with fresh water daily.

You can also mist your box turtle with water a few times a week to help keep it hydrated. This is especially important if your turtle is kept indoors, as turtles can get the water they need from natural rainfall when they are outdoors.

As with all other reptiles, adequate environmental temperatures are necessary for your turtle to digest its food. If daytime temperatures fall below 65°F (18.3°C), your box turtle may need to be brought inside, as they will attempt to hibernate in cold temperatures. The ideal daytime basking temperature for proper digestion is 85-87°F (29.4-30.5°C).

Vitamins and supplements

Supplements are not always necessary for box turtles. If they are eating a varied diet, they should be getting all the nutrients they need from their food. However, calcium is an exception. Calcium deficiency can cause death and deformity in turtles, so supplementing this mineral is a good idea. They may also need extra vitamin D to help them metabolise the calcium.

The easiest way to give your box turtle extra calcium is to sprinkle powdered reptile calcium on their food before each feeding. You can also coat live food, such as mealworms or crickets, by putting the insects and a little calcium powder in a bag and shaking. Use a calcium powder without extra phosphorus.

A piece of cuttlebone in the pen can also add extra calcium to the diet. This allows your turtles to self-regulate their calcium intake, which can be especially important for gravid females.

Reptile vitamin D supplementation is also important. Turtles need vitamin D to metabolise calcium. They can make this vitamin themselves when their skin is exposed to UVB rays, so if your turtles spend time outside or under a UV light, they won't need a vitamin D supplement. If they don't get UVB exposure regularly, it's a good idea to use a calcium supplement that also contains vitamin D, but be careful, as turtles can overdose on vitamin D.

Reptile vitamin A supplements can also be given if your turtle has peeling skin or swollen nictitating membranes. This usually only happens if the turtle is not getting enough plant-based foods. Before resorting to supplements, increase the amount of dark leafy greens and yellow or orange vegetables in their diet. Adding a drop of cod liver oil to their food can also help.

Vitamin A deficiency is common in box turtles, but providing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables can help prevent this.

Frequently asked questions