Turtles have varied diets depending on their species, but most are omnivores, eating a mix of animal protein and plant matter.
What Turtles Eat
Omnivorous Turtles (e.g., red-eared sliders, painted turtles, pond turtles):
- Commercial turtle pellets that provide balanced nutrition
- Dark leafy greens and vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, romaine, and Swiss chard
- Live animal protein including feeder fish (goldfish, guppies), insects (earthworms, mealworms, waxworms), shellfish, slugs, and snails
- Some fruits and aquatic plants
- Their diet shifts from more animal protein when young to more vegetables as they age
Carnivorous Turtles (e.g., spiny soft-shell turtles):
- Primarily animal protein such as fish, insects, and other live prey
- Commercial pellets supplemented with live animal food
Herbivorous Turtles (mostly tortoises and some land turtles):
- Leafy greens, grasses, plants, flowers, and fruits
- No animal protein in their diet
Sea Turtles' Diets
Different sea turtle species have specialized diets:
- Green turtles are herbivores as adults, eating algae, sea grasses, and seaweed, but hatchlings are omnivores
- Leatherback turtles eat mostly jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates
- Loggerheads are carnivores, feeding on hard-shelled prey like lobsters and crustaceans
- Olive ridley turtles are omnivores, eating jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, algae, and seaweed
In summary, turtles eat a combination of commercial pellets, leafy greens, vegetables, live insects and fish, and depending on species, fruits or exclusively plant or animal matter. The diet should be tailored to the turtle's species and age to ensure proper nutrition
