Eastern box turtles are omnivorous scavengers that eat a variety of both animal and plant-based foods. The proportions of animal versus plant-based food items will depend on both the age and the species of box turtle that you are feeding. Generally, hatchlings and juvenile box turtles are more carnivorous than adults, which are typically more herbivorous. Here are some examples of what eastern box turtles eat:
Animal-based foods:
- Crickets
- Earthworms
- Grasshoppers
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Mealworms
- Wax worms
- Super worms
- Red worms
- Snails
- Slugs
- Minnows
- Small chunks of cooked meats such as chicken and beef heart (raw meats offer too much chance of bacterial contamination)
- Occasionally moistened, high quality, low-fat dog food
Plant-based foods:
- Kale
- Blackberries and raspberries
- Green beans
- Apples (with the seeds removed)
- Collard greens
- Squash and zucchini
- Grapes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Alfalfa hay
- Bok choy
- Parsley
- Swiss chard
- Watercress
- Clover
- Red or green cabbage
- Savory
- Cilantro
- Kohlrabi
- Bell peppers
- Escarole
- Dandelion
Live prey, such as crickets and various worms, should either be raised inside by the owner or purchased from a pet store, bait store, or reptile breeder. Collecting insects from outside to feed pet turtles is generally not recommended, as fertilizers and insecticides on insects can be toxic to turtles. Wild-caught insects may also contain pesticides and should be avoided as a food source.
