Okay, so I’ve been raising this box turtle for a while now, and I wanted to share my experience with feeding them. I started off pretty clueless, not gonna lie. I mean, what do these little guys even eat?
First off, I did some digging online and found out that box turtles are omnivores. That means they eat both plants and animals. Alright, cool. So, I started by offering a mix of things.
I went to the local pet store and picked up some turtle pellets. Figured that was a good starting point, right? But my turtle, Sheldon, wasn’t too thrilled about it. He’d sniff them and then just walk away. Stubborn little dude.
- So, I tried giving him some mealworms. That got his attention! He gobbled them up pretty quickly.
- Then I added some chopped-up fruits like strawberries and blueberries. He seemed to enjoy those too, but not as much as the worms.
- Next up, I introduced some leafy greens like lettuce and spinach. He nibbled on them a bit, but wasn’t super enthusiastic.
I kept experimenting with different foods. I offered him crickets, earthworms, and even some cooked sweet potato. He had his favorites, for sure. The mealworms and crickets were always a hit. Fruits were a sometimes food. And veggies… well, he tolerated them.
After a few weeks, I noticed that Sheldon seemed to be doing well. He was active, his shell looked healthy, and he was pooping regularly. So, I guess I was doing something right!
One thing I learned is that variety is key. Just like us, turtles need a balanced diet. So I make sure to switch things up and not just feed him the same stuff every day. I also found that baby turtles might need more protein than adults, so I adjusted Sheldon’s diet as he grew.
My Feeding Routine
These days, I feed Sheldon about 50% animal-based foods like insects and worms, 20% fruits, and 30% vegetables, it’s not an exact science, but it seems to be working. Sometimes, I add other foods just to give Sheldon something new.
Raising a box turtle has been a learning experience, especially when it comes to their diet. But it’s been rewarding to see Sheldon thrive. If you’re thinking about getting a box turtle, just remember to do your research and be patient. They’re cool little creatures, and with the right care, they can make great pets.
