Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can I feed bloodworms to my hatchling spotted turtle? What other foods can I offer?

I'm a surf fisherman, so bloodworms to me have always been the nasty bait worms that shoot out their mouthparts and bite you...I wouldn't feed those.

Of course, you probably mean the type that resemble mosquito larvae that you purchase at tropical fish stores...they are fantastic food items for any turtle that will actually eat them.

In addition, you can feed basically anything that moves and fits in the turtle's mouth. A few are fish, superworms, waxworms, crickets, earthworms, mealworms(not a great food item), pillbugs, fly larvae, grubs, etc.. Non-living foods can include prepared diets, beefheart, liver, other organ meats, chopped pinkies, unseasoned crawfish tail meat, shrimp, etc..

I used to keep Spotteds, and still keep Woods, Western Ponds, Blandings, and various Box turtles. By far, my Spotted hatchlings used to be the most finicky. When they get a bit bigger, they'll eat just about anything. Just be patient. A few of my friends wouldn't agree with this, though. Most of their hatchlings eat just about anything.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Mike, shoot me an email on the other forum, I can give you any help you need on that spotty hatchling.

These are things I feed my hatchlings, cooked chicken on occassion, mealworms, krill, brine shrimp, bloodworms, earthworms cut up, mosquito larvae, reptomin, sow bugs, grubs. Just offer them lots of different foods....they'll figure out what they like.