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What can you feed red-eared domestic turtles
Red-eared turtles are undemanding to care for and adapt well to any living conditions. Proper nutrition is the key to their health and longevity. What foods should be fed to red-eared turtles, we will tell in this article.
What is the best way to feed domestic red-eared turtles?
Red-eared turtles can rightfully be called omnivores. They will enjoy eating both meat and vegetables with pleasure. Still, they are primarily carnivores, so meat products should make up a large part of their diet. Among the permitted products are the following:
- Seafood and fish. As food for turtles, only low-fat varieties of fish are suitable. All large bones must be removed from it and cut into small pieces. Before serving, the fish should be kept in hot water for about two minutes. Seafood can be fed raw. Shrimp, squid and octopus are good options. Snail meat is a delicacy for red-eared turtles. It can be given occasionally in small amounts.
- Meat. Beef, chicken and rabbit meat are excellent feeds. But pork and lamb are too fatty and can cause health problems for turtles. You can also enter into the diet by-products, such as liver or heart. Meat is served both raw and boiled. Cut it into small pieces.
- Insects. During the summer months, you can feed your pets with grasshoppers, bloodworms, mealworms and bugs. But cockroaches should not be given, this can provoke poisoning.
- Grass. In summer, turtles can be fed fresh clover, dandelion or rhubarb. Oats will help out during the winter months. It is grown in pots on the windowsill.
- Fruits. The turtles’ diet must include fresh fruit. Pears, bananas, apples and peaches are especially beneficial. They must be cut into small slices. For treats, serve tangerines, apricots, and melon pieces.
- Vegetables. Red-eared turtles are very fond of bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants. Introduce beans, carrots, and beets into their diet. Celery and broccoli can be used for variety.
- Aquarium plants. To ensure that your turtle never goes hungry, plant duckweed, pond algae, spirogyra and aquatic asp. Remember that elodea are poisonous to turtles, so they should not be planted.
Now you know the rules for feeding red-eared turtles. The main thing is to remember that the diet should be as varied as possible. Then your pet will be healthy and cheerful.