Feeding and Nutrition :: Flys?

[superkeener]

Since summer is in full swing here in Kentucky, as tradition the flys always stop over to say hello, so I've caught a few of them and fed them to Emily, I was wondering If this is ok for her to eat, or should I stop, I've fed her 3 in the past couple weeks

[marisa]

Depending on what the flies have been feeding on, it may or may not hurt(but you don't know where they've been). They don't sound like they'd have much, if any, nutrition to me, though. Rather than spending the energy on catching flies, I'd put it into digging some earthworms, if possible.

[blaydes]

Are earthworms okay for them to eat?

[missibsu]

Yes, and most turtles actually love them because they wiggle.

[reptilegrrl]

Earthworms are great for them to eat! High in protein and in calcium.

My turtles also love snails. Today it rained heavily, so after I went and picked the largest of the snails that came out, and fed them to the turtles.

[missibsu]

Where in the world do you find snails after it rains? I have lived in the country for ages and have never found a snail in the wild! Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place...or not looking at all, lol.

[marisa]

superkeener, if earthworms weren't good for your turtle to eat, I wouldn't have suggested them.

[knite]

Land snails and earthworms usually appear after a big rainstorm near a pile of rotting vegetation. My mum freaked last year when she found a whole family of slugs feasting on the 'compost' that she has been working on.

[missibsu]

Slugs are no problem, or earthworms, salamanders, pill bugs...I could go on. But in 23 years of living in the country and I haven't seen snails. Funny.

[samandnelly]

Catching earthworms and snails wild?? Didn't it say on the care page not to do that since they may have traces of pesticides?

[marisa]

You have to be sure that the places you did for worms haven't been contaminated with any pesticides. I have to say I'm leery about feeding wild snails to my turtles because they can carry flukes, a type of parasite. I wouldn't do so unless I had purged them first.

[Blue Flamingo]

Are worms more of a treat then food?

[TurtleBot]

Flies won't hurt them...

[sonyj]

Are worms more of a treat then food?

Worms and other live prey can be considered treats/supplements in a well balanced diet (staple food of pellets and variety of veggies). They should not be given as the staple of the diet though.