Feeding and Nutrition :: supplementation of fresh protein sources

[scripta_elegans]

I am wondering if hatch-lings need more live or fresh protein sources than adult RES. I have not given Sparky, Spike, and Sleepy any live food yet, but they are so little, I am unsure what to offer them. I would be happy to give them guppies, or meal-worms, or crickets, but I have also read any live or pre-killed fresh protein sources should always be supplemented with a calcium /D3 powder. If I use cuttle bone with their pellets is this still necessary? Thanks for any help! Nicole

[sonyj]

I've only fed my turtle live foods once in his life (he's a year old). I've chosen not to feed live foods after that and that's my choice (I just can't do it ).

Others will feed live foods around once a month or bi-weekly. I do not believe it's a necessity to feed live foods if he has a well balanced diet that consists of pellets, veggies, and calcium (like cuttle bone). In the wild they do eat some live foods but I've read it's not as often as we may think, only when they happen upon them.

Younger turtles do have a tendency to eat more protein than plant matter, but with pellets being fed daily to hatchlings you can say this takes care of the difference. After a year old, turtles should only be fed pellets every other day.

If you chose to feed live food you should cut back on the pellets for that days meal since they have their feeders etc.

[scripta_elegans]

I am so happy to hear that! I really don't like the idea of my little turtles ripping a living thing to pieces, I can maybe deal with meal worms, but I tend to be a little sensitive about animals of all types being fearful or in pain. I just felt that if they need it, I could drop the fish, cover my eyes, and run. I will try the pre killed fish maybe once in awhile for the variety. I am fortunate however, in that I eat lots of veggies, and my little turtles seem to share my love of them. As long as veggies, calcium, and pellets are the staples for food, I think they are going to be fine! I am so relieved! Thanks!

[steve]

Percentage-wise, they should have more protein in their diets. Do offer a small amount of cuttlebone and skip any calcium supplement that contains phosphorous. Skip the vitamin D3... yes your turtle needs D3, but providing sunlight and UVB rays is a far safer and a better way for your turtle.

Skip the meal worms and go for earthworms. The occasional minnow isn't so bad and your turtle would enjoy the hunt. For what it's worth, they do get some calcium from the fish bones.

[scripta_elegans]

I bought some rosy red minnows today and put them in the tank with the turtles. One turtle seems scared of them, one is chasing occasionally, and the third has been chasing them for an hour and shows no sign of stopping or giving up. I feel like I provided entertainment for them at least!

[cprcheetah]

I bought some feeder fish for my Turtle on Monday, and he chased them and chased them and chased em, but wasn't quick enough. Tuesday morning all 6 of them were gone so he must have figured out a way to catch up to them...probably tired them out from chasing them.

[scripta_elegans]

It has taken a week, but the minnows are all gone. I think they must have enjoyed them!

[SpotsMama]

While they are not totally fresh, freeze-dried gut-loaded (with calcium) crickets may be a good choice. I put a couple on Spot's basking platform and he'll grab one and pull it into the water to eat. He really likes them. You can get jars of them at Petco and Petsmart. A jar lasts a long time.

[cprcheetah]

Zeke LOVES freeze dried Crickets and shrimp. He eats it right as soon as they hit his tank.

[scripta_elegans]

I am so happy for Zeke. I love hearing rescue stories, and I am sure he is a much happier turtle.

[cprcheetah]

Yes, Zeke is doing great, so far he has shed off 4 complete scutes with others on the way....his shell in those spots is looking quite healthy. I can't believe tha his former owners gave him up...their loss. He is such a cutie. I love him to pieces already. He is very active, loves basking, loves getting out and about while I clean his tank to explore (only in the bathroom floor, with disinfected after wards). He has also started begging everytime he sees me! He's so cute!