Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone give me a heads up on when to gradually change the turtle food from Reptomin Pellets and such to Leafy Greens?
Any size, or specifications would be appreciated.

thanks

Sliders tend to move toward the a heavier greens diet as they reach adulthood. I would be trying to feed various things like Chicory, escarole, dandelion greens, water lettuce, water hyacinth, turnip greens NOW. (Avoid spinach and even Romaine -- not much nutritional value to the Romaine and spinach blocks calcium absorption).

Sliders generally don't make the transition one day by choice. Many get fixated on the diet they have had all their lives so it is best to offer a variety. Even as adults they will want to eat some protein too but should be eating more plant material.

Steve

Why change? Lessen pellets add greenery. I dont remove pellets completely.

I feed reptomin or mazuri 2-3x wk and the rest veggies-the greens, tomatos, think bite-able slices of squash or zuchinni, or whatever veggie they might like.

thanks for the heads up advice. I will incorporate the greens both of you have mentioned into their diets asap. Now comes the fruits. I know turtles will eat fruits, especially apples but are there others that provide rich nutrition?

thanks again

Apples, melon, berries. Basically non-citrus fruits. I think avacado is a big NO if memory serves me correctly.

As far as greens go, you can use aquatic plants that are sold in the fish store. Lots of turtles like anacharis which is sold by the bunch and just floats.

My turtle is a little over a year and he loves anacharis. He also really likes fruits such as strawberries, watermelon, and cantalope. Sometimes I'll throw in a raisen and he likes those too. Carrots are also really good for turtles. Mine decided he doesn't like them unless they're cooked though. And when they're cooked, they're like candy to him.

Of course, like everyone else, I have to agree and say variation is key. Try bits of different foods and see what yours likes best, but keep a variety for him so that he doesn't rely on one food for all nutrition. It would be like if you or I simply ate one type of food the rest of our lives and expected to be healthy.