Reptile & Amphibian Forums

O.K., when I first got my three-toed deliver, he/she couldn't eat most of the mealworms because of the tough outer layer they had. Now the turtle can eat them.

What is the best animal-based diet? How long do I continue feeding the high-fat wax worms?

I tend to obsess, but I was wondering, if I keep the waxies in the diet, is it best to go

earthworm(s)
wax worms
earthworm(s)
mealworms

OR

earthworm(s)
wax worms
mealworms

Or some other ratio of these inverts that make up his/her diet?

I try to think what Mother Nature would do. In the case of hatchling box turtles, they eat what they can find in the small area they call home for the first year or two. They will NOT find such high fat content items all the time, nor will they get their fill of it each day.

In the beginning I tended to feed my hatchlings too much food. No harm done, but it's obviously unnatural and there's no telling what internal structures I may have altered with my high fat, high calorie diet. I now feed mainly earthworms, Canadian nightcrawlers and mealworms. Waxworms are a treat. I also add greens like romaine and red leaf, and fruits like strawberries, grapes, apples, banana and cantaloupe to the diet by 3-4 months. They will be less picky and will eat plants sooner if they see and smell it at an early stage.
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Tess
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