Childhood is a particularly important period for turtles: it is the time when they need the greatest amount of vitamins to grow and develop. Therefore it is essential to ensure that puppies are fed in a comfortable and safe environment, where they feel comfortable eating and receiving all the nutrition they need.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting the Food
Step 1. Learn about your turtle's eating habits
Turtles have different habits, depending on the species they belong to. They are generally omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals, but some of them can change their eating habits over time.
- Many types of turtles change their diet as they grow. Some species, such as the red-eared sea turtle and green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) are born primarily carnivores and switch to a predominantly vegetarian diet as they grow.
- Other species remain entirely carnivorous or omnivorous throughout their lives. The snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), for example, will always need a predominantly carnivorous diet, while the common turtle (Caretta caretta) will need a combination of meat and vegetables.
- Find out what kind of turtle you own. It can be pretty obvious, in case you have raised it personally. However, if you bought it from a pet shop, the species may not be specified. Take her to a vet experienced in turtle care to help you identify her.
Step 2. Feed the food properly
Good quality turtle croquettes can form the basis of a healthy diet, however you can consider other foods, depending on the specific needs of your turtle. In this case, be sure to provide them with these alternative foods too - a diverse diet is important for turtles and their different nutritional needs.
- Purina, ReptoMin, ZooMed, Sera Reptil and other brands produce feed for different types of turtles (carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous), which can be purchased at pet stores or online.
- If your turtle is herbivorous or omnivorous, you must also provide it with an assortment of fruits and vegetables, in addition to the feed. Lettuce, kale, carrots, cantaloupe and strawberries are suitable foods for turtles. Consider the aquatic plants that are typically part of a turtle's daily diet, including duckweed, pistia (water lettuce) and water hyacinth.
- If your turtle needs a meat-based diet, you can feed it with mealworms, earthworms, freshwater shrimps, minnows, snails, snails and honey worms. These can be purchased at pet stores that sell turtles and other reptiles. Do not try to get worms yourself or buy them at fishing shops: it is best to make sure they are suitable for feeding turtles.
Step 3. Create an environment conducive to nutrition
Turtles need to feel comfortable to eat. Create a favorable environment for the turtle to eat inside its turtle tank. To keep the environment in which it lives clean, it is preferable to feed it habitually in a separate tank, although this is not strictly necessary for puppies. Although it is not the best procedure, you can consider feeding the puppies inside the turtle tank, in case they refuse to eat elsewhere. In this case, however, you will have to clean it more frequently.
- As for the type of food, the way to arrange it inside the turtle tank also depends on the specimen you have. Do some research to find out how your turtle eats in its natural habitat and try to recreate the same conditions inside its tank. For example, if it is carnivorous, it probably prefers to hunt its own prey independently, so it might be a good idea to release some minnows in a small pool of water.
- Is it a freshwater or land turtle? Freshwater turtles prefer to be immersed in water when they eat, so prepare a small pool of water inside the tank where you feed them. The water must be shallow to prevent the puppies from drowning. Keep the depth below 5 centimeters.
- If you feed your turtle with insects, place them on the ground. If the insects reach the water, they risk increasing the ammonia level and this could harm the turtle's skin and shell.
- Fresh food spoils. Place fresh food in a separate container, so that it does not contaminate the rest of the food and throw it away if it has been outdoors for several hours.
Part 2 of 3: Feeding the Turtle
Step 1. Decide how much food to feed your turtle
The amount and frequency of feeding pups is a controversial issue among turtle owners and experts. However, it is generally advisable to feed them frequently - usually once a day - as they are in the development phase and need extra support from vitamins and minerals.
- Baby turtles should be fed every day: the afternoon and morning are ideal times, as they are more active and more prone to eat the food they feed.
- Although there are consensus regarding the frequency of food administration, the question is debated regarding the quantity. Some recommend giving puppies as much food as they can eat, while others recommend limiting feeding time to 15-20 minutes at a time. Consult your vet for advice on how to feed your turtle.
Step 2. Feed the turtle without letting it eat directly from your hand
Otherwise, it could make an association between the food and your hands and start biting. When it comes to baby turtles, special attention must be paid to food preparation.
- The pellets should be broken into four parts to prevent puppies from suffocating, as their mouth is smaller.
- Any type of fruit larger than a berry should be shredded or chopped to prevent choking.
- Vitamin and calcium supplements are sometimes recommended to ensure the nourishment the puppies need. If you opt for supplements, you need to administer them approximately three times a week.
Step 3. Learn how to deal with feeding problems
Baby turtles can be reluctant to eat, especially as soon as they are introduced inside the turtle tank. This is a common attitude that needs to be corrected by using one of the recommended approaches for this type of situation.
- Check the water temperature. Sometimes turtles refuse to eat if the water is too cold or too hot. The correct water temperature depends on the type of turtle, but is generally around 29 ° C.
- Sometimes the movement can stimulate the turtle to eat. If it is not interested in feed, live insects (such as crickets) or earthworms can stimulate their appetite.
- If the problem persists for more than a few days, see a veterinarian to rule out any health problems.
Part 3 of 3: Making Plans for the Future
Step 1. Prepare to switch to different types and quantities of food
Turtles can have a high life expectancy, meaning they are pets that live for a long time. You need to be prepared to care for them long after their childhood. Remember that the type of diet and the amount of food vary with age.
- Turtles are not considered adults until they are 7 years old. However, after the third year of life their appetite should naturally decline. If you notice that your turtle is eating less, it could be a sign that it is ready to switch to another type of diet. However, before you start changing the frequency of feeding, talk to your veterinarian to rule out any health problems and to get advice on the type of food and quantity.
- Adult turtles only need to be fed on alternate days and some even every three days: their food needs may vary depending on the species. Try to figure out if you need to switch to a meat-based or plant-based diet as the turtle grows.
Step 2. Monitor the turtle's health
Sometimes changes in eating habits can mean health problems. If the turtle stops eating, monitor it to rule out other common ailments.
- Pay attention to any carapace disorders. The carapace is an indicator of the animal's health and well-being. Any changes may indicate poor nutrition and, in particular, a calcium deficiency in the turtle's diet. If you notice malformations, such as cone-shaped cocoons, or if the carapace tends to crumble, it could be a sign of poor nutrition. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
- Watch out for parasites. Although this is rarely the case, turtle food and feed can be contaminated with parasites. Changes in the appetite, vigor and weight of the animal may indicate its presence.
- Respiratory infections can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms such as a runny nose or droopy eyelids may signal this, while severe infections are characterized by a tendency to breathe by mouth, mucus in the mouth, or gasps.
Step 3. Make food decisions to ensure lasting health for your turtle
Your pet can live for a long time if you take care of it properly. Start considering the factors for lasting health today. Many health problems can be caused by a wrong diet, so it is necessary to make feeding decisions that take into account the long-term well-being of the turtle.
- Buy feed only from reputable companies and avoid cheap and second-rate brands. Read online feed reviews and talk to your veterinarian to keep up to date with any market withdrawals of certain brands.
- Make sure you feed your turtle only fresh, washed products. Remember that any pesticide or bacteria that is harmful to humans can also be harmful to your turtle. Prepare his food exactly as you would for yourself.
Step 4. Review the supplements
Since vitamin deficiency (avitaminosis) is the cause of many health problems for turtles, discuss supplements with your vet to make sure you are feeding them the necessary nutrients. Calcium is one of the most important - calcium supplements can be purchased at pet stores. Add it to her food up to 2-3 times per week.
