Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading on Austin's Turtle Page that a certain percentage of stomach contents of wild Sternotherus odoratus is made up of plant matter.

Recently, I observed my juvenile chomping on the roots of the "Chinese Good Luck Plant" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracaena_sanderiana).

Makes me wonder a couple things:

One: Does the turtle actually want to eat the roots, ie plant matter?

Two: Was he only biting at it because the roots resemble blackworms, something he's very fond of eating?

This was a one time observation, I've had him for months now. Has anyone else observed them actively chomping on plants (not just coincidentally consuming them along with whatever they were really going after)?

And before the "helpful" denizens of the internet inform me that Dracaena sanderiana isn't an aquatic plant, thanks in advance. I know.

Hello Venomlust,
When I was in C.A. I collected a group of Staurotypus triporcatus. All of them passed palm seeds, smaller seeds and berry skins as well as digested plant matter along with various bug parts and mollusk shell frags... There was other undetermined contents as well, but the point is, it was no accident that they had all swallowed these things. Best to you- Mike S

I'd be hesitant to believe anyting on Wikipedia.