Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been "into" reptiles and herps for years but just got my first Florida snapping turtle. I have been giving him a varied diet and have a question: venison. It is a food the turtles would find in the wild once in a while and is a very lean, healthy red meat. What about adding venison to it's diet - any parasites would be killed in the freezer and I figured if it is safe for humans it must surely be safe for him. Any expert opinions out there? also wondering about hard boiled egg.

After it is bigger I'll be back to ask how to sex him/her. In the meantime I'd better come up with a generic name.

Any lean meat could be considered as an addition to a varied diet. Venison would fall into my category of "wierd stuff" that I'll offer my turtles. It includes food items that they may never or scarcely encounter in the wild, but that are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, or have some other redeeming value as a food. The turtles only get "wierd stuff" about once a month. So I say, "Sure, why not." I just wouldn't offer it too often.

Hard boiled eggs are an excellent food item. Larger turtles can even be allowed to chomp on the shell. Again, not too often. Eggs contain more cholesterol than the average turtle forage.

Thanks for the answer - venison is SO much leaner than beef, and our freezer is full of it this time of year - really cuts the grocery bills, especially with beef so spendy. Now I know I can share with him once in awhile.