Feeding and Nutrition :: Earthworms?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I was wondering if I can feed my turtle earthworms. Also how can I get them? It's pretty dry here and rarely rains so does anyone know ways and tricks to get them out of the ground? Also are those little containers of worms that they sell at bait shops and wal-mart fine?

[Listen97]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=27195

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

What?

[julee]

Click on the link

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... =8&t=27195

[marisa]

Earthworms are fine as part of the overall diet. The ones that have been grown on manure should not been used (but it can be difficult to know for sure).

I've used the ones sold at Walmart (the trout worms, not the larger ones) without any problems. I do, however, transfer them out of whatever medium they're sold in and put them into a container of good soil that I've dug.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I don't think my backyard has any manure but I don't want to risk it.
How much do those containers cost? And how many worms does it come in? Also what kind of soil do I use? Just normal potting soil or mud from outside?

[Marcus.85]

Or you could breed them yourself, they're almost as easy as mealworms. I started off with 10 and now I have like a hundred, idk what to do with them.

[marisa]

The last time I bought trout worms from Walmart, they were about $3 for 30 of them (so they will last a while). I'm assuming they'll be in sporting section in a refrigerator, and even if they are, just to be sure, I open a container before buying to make sure there's no mold in there and that the worms are in good shape. (I'm fairly picky and one time went through about 10 containers before I found one I liked.) I also give a gentle shake (good to put the top on) to see if they come "alive." They will tend to be sluggish from being refrigerated, but should move when shaken.

I wouldn't put them in commercial potting soil, which often has additives. I just go outside (I'm in the country) and dig some earth (sometimes I wind up with earthworms from digging, which I also use). By manure, I meant that some shops sell worms that were grown on compost that had manure in it. Unless in the spring manure or pesticides were deliberately put on the land where you are, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Oh okay thanks! Aren't the worms hermaphrodites? Also they like the dar right? So would it be fine if I put them in my closet?

[marisa]

You could if it's not too warm (cooler is better) and you don't forget about them. The container needs to have holes for air. Don't let the soil dry out---keep it moist, but not wet (I spray the top with water). If you're going to put them in a larger container than the Walmart one, I occasionally put some lettuce leaves (or similar greens) on top of the soil if I'm going to keep them a while.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Oh okay cool, I was wondering are there different kind of earthworms? Any kinds I should stay away from?

[marisa]

There probably are, but either ones that I dig myself or ones bought at Walmart have been fine for my turtles. I prefer not to give the superworms you can buy in some petstores simply because they are so big. I don't know of any that should be avoided. I would think where and what the worms were grown on would be the determining factor as to whether to feed them (like I mentioned above).

[turtle man]

I give them night crawlers from the store (big guys), I give them like a quarter a piece, then put it back, they ALL grow back, now I have a liftimes worth of worms. also I use bloodsucker earthworms from my backyard, my turtles love em.