Feeding and Nutrition :: Box Turtle Nutrition

[gamingstaff]

I have 2 questions here:

I have been feeding my box turtle crickets (about 2-3 a day) but he will not eat veggies! I offer him the veggies before I offer protein live meals like crickets or worms but he just won't go for the veggies. I am offering him lettuce and strawberries at the moment.

How can I entice him to start eating veggies since he needs that as part of his balanced diet.


And question two. If I feed my snapping turtle a cricket (he is a hatchling, only about an inch and a half long shell), should I feed him some nutrafin pellets as well or is the cricket enough.

Also what all should I feed my snapper?

[Terryo]

I don't know anything about snaping turtles, but how old is your box turtle? Most hatchlings done't eat veg or fruit until they are older. When they are really little they will only eat moving things. My Three toed is about 7 or 8 months, and so far will only eat meal worms, red wigglers, and wax worms and crickets. I try all the time to give her (him?) fruits and veg. So far I am only offaering fruits. They smell better, and she might try something. My older Ornate would eat fruit and greens, and veg besides bugs.

[gamingstaff]

I don't know how old he is, I didn't get him as a hatchling. I can tell you his shell size is about 6 inches long.

But the crickets catch his eye and he eats like 3 (is that enough? he will eat more if I feed him more). Fruits just don't catch his eye I guess but I need him to eat them because I know he needs them.

[Terryo]

Well, at that size he is old enough to eat veg and fruit. What kind of boxie is he? Can you post a picture? Box turtles are enticed by smell also, so try cantaloupe or sweet potato. In the meantime dust his crickets with calcium powder. What kind of lighting and enclosure do you have?
This was my ornate in an indoor virvarium. She also had an out door pen. Have you tried earth worms. You can usually buy them at any pet store. If you have a yard, after a rain you can also dig some up for her. Lettuce really has no nutritional value.

[marisa]

You know, there is a Box Turtle and Tortoise forum where it would be better to direct questions about your box turtle. There is also an Other Turtle Discussion forum for turtles other than RES. Perhaps if you went to www.chelydra.org you could get some ideas for your snapper as well.