Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my turtles since 1997 and now they are really big (ones about 6-7 inches, other is 8-9 inches) and I've been feeding them too much protein I think. I usually feed them pellets, crickets, small shrimp, and fish. I try to feed them vegetables or fruits but they just don't respond too well. I offer it to them at least weekly since I've had them...

They completely ignore lettuce/romaine-lettuce and hardly touch it. They respond to carrots (I use baby carrots and make them softer by heating it in water) but they don't eat that much of it. I've tried feeding them lots of fruits like strawberries, apples, pears, and even oranges heh - they try it but never eat the entire thing I offer.

So what other vegetable can I try? Their older now and they eat less pellets when I offer it to them so I'm sure they want to eat some herbivor stuff... so does anyone have any suggestions?

Right now I'm kind of "starving" them (as I was told a while back)... after 3 days of not feeding I gave them carrots but they still didn't finish the entire meal. They don't seem that hungry as you'd think they'd be on the 4th day.. I will attempt more carrots later and hope they eat the entire meal.

Did u ever try the plants at pets smart like banna plants and the other ones. My turtles also like water letuce and water hianithes. hope it helps.

Try reading http://www.resoasis.com/diet.htm.
This is a great site and lists a bunch of veggies and aquatic plants you can try. For example, my turts love romaine and other lettuce but won't touch carrots! I guess its somewhat trial and error.

I have had my turtle for about four years now. He also at first was very hesitant to make the gradual switch over to veggies, but he did eventually go for it and now is living a low-protein, veggie-rich lifestyle. Here are some things that he has done very well with:

Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Kale (no iceburg lettuce...it's got zero nutrients)
Carrots, both Baby and shaved, which are easier for him to eat
Green Beans
Broccoli and Cauliflower, but not as a staple
Snow Peas (in pod)

Fruits (not too much...I have read that too much distrupts natural digestive fauna):
Melon (mine loves Cantelope and Watermelon
Strawberry
Grapes

I would probably avoid citrus, no spinach! (contains a natural component that blocks calcium absorption), and use bananas and apples as only rare occasional treats. Mine eats veggies daily and then usually only gets Reptomin sticks a few times a week. Maybe the fact that your large adults are starting to lay off the protien (sticks, shimp, meats, etc.) is a sign that they are wanting to go veggie. Make sure you not cut off the other "meat sources" and cut veggies so they are bite size and easier to eat...mine likes his carrots shaved (like match stick size) for example because he can eat them better, and I like it too because then he doesn't need them softened. Same with green beans.

My three res all love corn kernels (cooked). They run after them and fight over them!

Try anachris, an aquatic plant that most turtles seem to love. My res doesn`t care for fruit (exception: the very occasional sliver of banana I give him); he loves thin slices of carrots, red-leaf lettuce, corn (but I don`t think it`s that good for him so it`s an occasional treat), but most of all fresh basil (I`ve never seen anything written about it, but am assuming it`s OK to give to him.)

Very good ideas. I am new to caring for res so these suggestions are helping to broaden their feeding beyond Reptomin and other commercial foods. Have just tried some water cress--they ate some but not all. Also, bing cherries without the pits--they love them, but don't know if they are okay for them--maybe once in a while for variety. Mine don't like carrots. So-so on peas. Individual tastes seem to vary.