Feeding and Nutrition :: Does this look like a good weekly diet for a young turtle?

[Tenodera]

I don't have an orgranized list of what to feed on Mondays, Tuesdays, etc. It's usually very random, but this is what it basically looks like, like sometimes it would be Option 1 for three days in a row and then Option 3 the next day....

Option 1: 2 Pellets and romaine lettuce/dandelion greens

Option 2: 1 worm 1 pellet and romaine lettuce/dandelion greens

Option 3: 3 small earthworms romain lettuce/dandelion greens

I usually just feed her Option 1 and occasionally Option 2, and once a week Option 3. Once a month I give her carrots or small slices or apple or banana

(Its not in any consectutive order or anything)


Is this a good diet?

[industrial_girl_2000]

You can skip the bananas. Try some berries once a month like blueberries or raspberries. My turtle loves those & they are loaded with antioxidants!

You can feed carrots more often if you want to.

Looks fairly balanced!

[BullDog]

May I ask why no bananas? I've given Ralph a slice of banana a couple times and he loves it!

It always seems so funny to count the pellets, when what I do is just measure them out in the lid and dump 'em in!

I'd say as long as he doesn't get #3 too often, and his head is about the size of 2 pellets, that looks pretty good to me.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I was told on this board that Bananas have phosphorus, which can block the absorption of calcium.

Of course, if you are only giving it once/month, it's no big deal. It's just that berries are a better choice if they like them. I'm fortunate that Sheba LOVES blueberries so I keep them around for both of us since I LOVE them too!

My turtle hates bananas anyway (spits them) so I don't worry about feeding them at all.

[steve]

I use bananas as a rare treat. There is much more Phosphorus in there than Calcium, but a small portion is OK. I'd also go for red leaf or green leaf lettuce... it's a bit better than Romaine.

[Tenodera]

yea I don't usually get bananas so bananas are a rare treat for Serra.
Yup I just bought a huge bag of red leaf lettuce 2 days ago!