Feeding and Nutrition :: Do Hatchlings eat/need cuttlebone?

[MissMandy]

I was thinking of buying my two hatchlings some cuttlebone. Will they even eat it? I'm not sure if they will know that their supposed to. Also, is this important for their diet or only for adults? Thanks!

[SpenceMasta]

hatchlings eat and need more protein than adults, they probably arent even big enough to bite down on cuttlebone and will just ignore it

[imderanged]

My turtle's been eating cuttlebone since she was 2 inches or so. I would say go ahead and give it to them. Cuttlebones not very expensive and it's not going to hurt them. I'm not sure about specific dietary needs, but I would think they needed more calcium, not less, while growing so much as babies.

[Raphulk]

i suggest you crush up the cuttlebone and spring it on their pellets or veggies

I highly suggest you start getting your little hatchlings introduced to veggies asap if you haven;t already

[MissMandy]

Thanks, I decided I will introduce them to cuttlebone now and see what happens.

I bought the Aquatic turtle diet frozen food by Healthy Herp- it has some plant/veggie content but they wouldnt eat it:( It was expensive too. I will start offering them some lettuce and carrot soon, also some fresh plants.

[Raphulk]

Thanks, I decided I will introduce them to cuttlebone now and see what happens.

I bought the Aquatic turtle diet frozen food by Healthy Herp- it has some plant/veggie content but they wouldnt eat it:( It was expensive too. I will start offering them some lettuce and carrot soon, also some fresh plants.

don't be discouraged!
I don't know how long you've had your hatchlings, but I literally had to put the pellets in front of their faces when they were that small.

[imderanged]

Keep offering that Healthy Herp stuff, Pickle goes CRAZY for it. The babies can be picky eaters at first, but they come around. Pickle wouldn't touch veggies at first, but now she devours them.