Feeding your Red-Eared Terrapin turtle doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. Although your Terrapin has specialized diet needs, once you know what they are, feeding is no problem.
What To Feed Your Red-Eared Terrapin
Your Red-Eared Terrapin needs variety in its diet in order to be healthy and live a long life. There are four food categories that you should include when feeding your Terrapin, and these are:
Commercial Pellets
Pellets, while convenient and fairly nutritious, should not be the only food you feed your Terrapin, although using them as part of a balanced diet is okay. Pellets are not a complete food, and your Terrapin can suffer deficiencies if pellets are its sole diet.
Live Protein
Live protein is important for the proper growth of your terrapin. However, baby Terrapins tend to eat more protein than older ones, so adjust the diet with that in mind. Some food in this category that you can feed your turtle are: aquatic snails, mealworms, locusts, earthworms, crickets, and 'feeder' fish such as minnows and danios.
Greens and Vegetables
An adult Terrapin loves greens & vegetables, and should be the main part of its diet. Aquatic plants such as Anacharis, Water Lettuce, Hornwort, and Duckweed are a very good choice. Other non-aquatic plants such as Dandelion leaves, Romaine lettuce, Kale, and shredded carrot are appreciated, as well. Additionally, fruits like melon, grapes, and strawberries can be fed, but only as an occasional treat.
Supplements
Calcium is very important for preventing disease and allowing proper growth in your pet, and should be given regularly. The best way is through a cuttlefish bone, available in the bird section at most pet stores. Left floating in the tank, the Terrapin will bite chunks off occasionally. A vitamin/mineral powder supplement can also be added to the Terrapin's food.
What Not To Feed Your Red-Eared Terrapin
There are some foods that generally should not be fed to your Terrapin. Some are:
Dog And Cat Food
Some owners feed dog & cat food to their Terrapin as part of the protein requirement; however, it's not the best idea, as the food is generally full of filler, is not part of a Terrapin's natural diet, and can be quite messy to feed.
Freeze Dried Food
Freeze dried food, such as brine shrimp, may seem convenient, but it's best to avoid these, too, as it's usually just the 'husk' of the animal and is not very nutritious.
Cooked Meat
Try to avoid feeding meat such as chicken and beef. Chicken contains too much pure protein, and beef can be too fatty. Also, avoid tinned meats such as Spam and corned beef, as again, these contain too much fat.
Certain Vegetables
Not all vegetables are good for your turtle to eat. Avoid feeding spinach and broccoli as they contain too much oxalic acid which can block the absorption of calcium. Also, do not feed iceberg lettuce as it has no nutritional value at all.
How To Feed Your Red-Eared Terrapin
Interestingly, a Terrapin requires water in its mouth to swallow, so it should be fed in the water. Another option when feeding your Terrapin is to feed it in a separate, water-filled container. This helps in reducing waste and mess. However, it can be stressful to the turtle, so it's best to use this method when feeding messy foods.
How Much To Feed Your Red-Eared Terrapin
A Red-Eared Terrapin should not be overfed. Generally, the amount fed should be equal to the size of the turtle's head. Also, as the Terrapin grows older and larger, it should be fed less often. Feeding a baby Terrapin daily is okay, but an adult should be fed once every 2-3 days.
