Tortoises require a specific diet to ensure proper health and prevent premature death. This is a very common occurrence with pet tortoises due to a lack of knowledge about tortoise care. What do baby turtles eat? The short answer is protein.
Stocking up on lots of protein is the best way to build strong muscles and an immune system. However, with all turtles, calcium is imperative for strong bones and a durable shell. Feeding baby turtles doesn’t have to be difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Juvenile tortoises, as pets or in the wild, are mostly carnivorous until they reach maturity. Once they become adults, most of their diet consists of green leafy vegetables, fruits, vegetables, and some protein as well. For all turtles, young and old, calcium is necessary for a nice strong shell and bones.
fish food
In captivity, young turtles are known to do well on fish food. Fish foods are loaded with protein, nutrients, and vegetables for an all-in-one diet. Pet stores sell baby turtle food and the like, but you can get the same results for much less money with a pond fish or goldfish food.
These specialized products cost a little more and will not give you better results. Another problem is that they contain more condoms, which are not good for your baby turtle. They may not necessarily kill the turtle, but too many preservatives are not good for anyone.
Live Proteins
Live proteins are great for turtles of any age. Tiny worms, crickets, and other insects will provide a tasty, protein-packed treat. Fish food is to make sure your turtle gets some protein every day. If there is a cricket that your turtle cannot catch right away, you will know that protein has still been provided.
As you browse your local pet store, you may come across freeze-dried bugs. If you ask someone who works there if these are good to feed your turtle, they will probably say yes. Don’t believe this! Freeze-dried bugs lack nutrients and are there to be useless. This is the same theory as to why everyone will tell you not to feed your turtle iceberg lettuce, because there are so few nutrients. Make sure that everything you feed your baby turtle has a beneficial purpose for its diet and growth.
Pelletized and stick turtle foods also work. The fish food could form an alternative feeding regimen, and at the time of feeding it could throw some pellets or a stick. Again lots of protein here. You can find them at your local pet store.
What do baby turtles eat in the wild to stay healthy? Being carnivorous by nature, they eat insects to get the protein boost they need. As a pet, you can certainly feed them small worms and insects, but don’t make this the staple of the turtles’ diet. Fish feeds and pellets have other nutrients with the protein to provide a more balanced diet. With growth, shell production, and daily energy use, your baby turtle needs to eat all the good stuff it can.
One thing to note is that if you have an aquatic turtle all the food must be given in the water. Turtles cannot produce saliva, so eating in the water aids in their oral digestion. Adults can eat out of the water, although they prefer not to, but adolescent turtles need to eat in the water. They have difficulty swallowing dry foods and may choke on them.
The quick answer to what baby turtles eat is lots of protein, with other essential nutrients included for a balanced diet. Some people prefer to buy specialized products for their pet, and it is certainly their right. However, you can save some money and maybe some disease or broken shells by following a good diet of fish food and pellets. Add a few small bugs as a treat and you have a healthy and happy baby turtle.
