Feeding and Nutrition :: is fruit really that bad for them?

[sassygirl]

Hey all,

I've had my RES for about a year now. She has never been very social with us. As soon as she see's a human within 10 feet of her tank she immediately jumps in the water.

I began feeding her various veggies over the past year and she was not too fond of them, we'd have to scoop left overs out.

Last week, however I started giving her bits of fruit we've been eating, like pieces of orange, banana and strawberries. In one week she has gone from anti social to begging for food. She's even eating out of our hands now.

I love my turtles new attitude, but if I only feed her fruit is it bad for her? She's not thrilled with fresh veggies or with her turtle food, but she will eat them, just want to know if she is happier with the fruit can I base her meals on that and throw in pellets with it?

she has not grown very much in the year I have had her, matter of fact, not really at all. So I'm not worried about obesity, I just want a happy and healthy turtle.

[jenaero]

but if I only feed her fruit is it bad for her?

A feeding plan based around a single item is never a good idea. Fruit isn't 'bad' for them, but it's certainly not a good staple. Too much sugar in it. Mine get fruit maybe once a month. I think of my turts as children. Just because they only tend to like a few things, doesn't mean that's all I'm going to serve. Keep giving the pellets and the veggies and make him deal with it. He's not going to starve himself just because he likes other foods better. Maybe try a different brand of pellets too.

[sarah]

My turtles love fruit too, but they only get it once a month...if that.

I had to switch their food as well because they weren't too fond of Wardlys...and at first they wouldn't eat the veggies much either.
I bought fresh carrots today (they're sliced really thin so I think they like that too) and they loved them. They also love romaine lettuce...Have you tried feeding that?

Eventually your little turtle will probably start to love the food and beg all the time....and then you'll wish she didn't :p

[fishandcandy]

Eventually your little turtle will probably start to love the food and beg all the time....and then you'll wish she didn't :p

I love that my turtle begs. I think he's absolutely adorable.

[missibsu]

I used to think that it was cute too, then one day it just turned annoying. I hate when they do it cause I feel bad for not feeding them. Of course I'm not going to give in either, but it is frustrating.

[marisa]

Too much fruit can upset the intestinal flora in the intestine and cause diarreha (especially citrus fruit). And bananas are really high in phosphorus, which is already abundant in the diet. I'd concentrate more on leafy greens and veggies and give the fruit less often than once a day. In summer, I do give a bit of some fruits more often---about once a week if it's cantelope--because they're in season.

[sassygirl]

Well, we tried some sweet potatoe and thin sliced carrots for Miss Yurtle (our little turt) she loved it. She's not fond of lettuce at all, but we are trying to give her more veggies than fruit. I laugh my butt off when she can't quite bite hard enough into the veggie to break it off, she will hang from the carrot or whatever you're giving her and shake vigorously to break off a bit, then comes back for more. Like a little gator or something....

She is now begging all the time, which is fine, sometimes she gets ignored. But I do like her more social side, now she is more interactive than a fish. She even begs when the dogs go over to her tank, like their going to feed her, lol.... silly turt...