General Information
Four subspecies of the common box turtle are available to buy at pet stores: the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), the three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis), the Gulf Coast box turtle (Terrapene Carolina major), and the ornate box turtle (T. ornata). The ornate box turtle is the smallest and has a shorter lifespan.
What do box turtles eat?
Box turtles are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. Some, like the ornate box turtle, eat insects. They have sharp eyes and a keen sense of smell. Young, growing box turtles, up to four to six years of age, tend to be primarily carnivores, while adults tend to be herbivorous (eat only plant matter).
As a guideline, your box turtle's diet should be about 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material. Different breeds of box turtles have slightly different nutritional needs. There are many different opinions about exactly what box turtles should eat to have a nutritionally balanced diet. Speak to a veterinarian familiar with box turtles to determine specifically what to feed your pet.
How often should I feed my box turtle?
Most young turtles eat daily, while mature, adult turtles can be fed either daily or every other day, depending on the pet's individual appetite, body weight, and overall health.
What types of plants can I feed my turtle?
Most plant material fed to box turtles should be vegetables and flowers (80%-90%), and only 10%-20% should be fruit. As a rule, dark, leafy greens should make up the largest part of the diet. Yellow, red, and orange vegetables can also be included. Avoid iceberg lettuce (head lettuce) and celery, as these greens are composed mainly of fiber and water with poor nutritional content. The inner, light-colored parts of some vegetables are less nutritious than the darker green, outer leaves, so it is better to offer the outer leaves.
Acceptable vegetables include collard greens, beet greens, mustard greens, broccoli, turnip greens, alfalfa hay, bok choy, kale, parsley, Swiss chard, watercress, clover, red or green cabbage, savory, cilantro, kohlrabi, bell peppers, green beans, escarole, and dandelion. A lesser percentage of the diet can include cactus, various squash, sprouts, cooked sweet potato, parsnips, okra, cucumber, asparagus, mushrooms, carrots, peas, and corn.
Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens should be fed sparingly, as they contain oxalates that can bind to calcium and other trace minerals, preventing these nutrients’ absorption in the turtle’s intestinal tract. Diets composed primarily of Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens can ultimately lead to nutrient deficiencies. Also, be cautious when feeding cabbage, kale, or mustard greens, as these vegetables contain goitrogens, which are chemicals that may lead to hypothyroidism.
If you offer fruit, the amount should be less than 10% of the daily food intake. Box turtles often prefer fruit to vegetables, but fruit is high in sugar and is overall less nutritious. Fruits to offer include apples, pears, bananas (with skin), mango, grapes, star fruit, raisins, peaches, tomato, guava, kiwis, and melons. Fruits that are particularly healthy include figs (which are high in calcium), apricots, dates, raspberries, and strawberries. As a treat, flowers may also be offered, such as geraniums, carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, nasturtiums, and roses.
"If you offer fruit, the amount should be less than 10% of the daily food intake."
Vegetables and fruit can be offered cooked or raw, although raw tends to be more nutritious, as cooking can destroy many nutrients. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before feeding them. Flowers can be home-grown or purchased from floral shops. Often, floral shops throw out older, wilting flowers. While these may be unacceptable for sale to the public, some store owners offer them at reduced cost for pet food. Be sure that no chemicals have been applied to the flowers or water before offering them to your turtle.
Present food to box turtles in a shallow, clean dish that is not easily flipped over. Vegetables should be chopped and mixed together to discourage the turtle from eating only preferred food items.
What animal-based protein foods can I offer my turtle?
Depending on the age, breed, and health of your box turtle, your veterinarian may or may not recommend feeding animal-based protein sources. When offered, some appropriate animal-based protein sources include grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, moths, slugs, earthworms, and hard-boiled eggs.
Commercially available reptile pellets are an excellent protein source. Live prey, such as crickets and worms, should either be raised inside by the owner or purchased from a pet store, bait store, or reptile breeder. It is not generally recommended to collect insects from outside to feed pet turtles, as fertilizers and insecticides on insects can be toxic to turtles. Dog food and cat food are a poor nutritional source for box turtles as these foods are high in fat and contain too much phosphorus to be fed safely.
The key is to feed a wide variety of healthy items, including both plant-based and animal-based protein sources, to provide your box turtle with balanced nutrition.
Do I need to give my box turtle vitamins and minerals?
Like most reptiles, turtles require more dietary calcium than phosphorus. Most veterinarians recommend lightly sprinkling vegetable matter with a calcium powder (calcium gluconate, lactate, or carbonate), two to three times per week. In addition, a light sprinkling of a multivitamin-mineral powder made for reptiles is also recommended weekly. The best way to ensure reptiles consume the supplements is to dust them onto small portions of their vegetables and feed those dusted portions first.
"Check with your veterinarian about the need to supplement your pet's diet with any kind of vitamin or mineral."
A common problem seen in pet box turtles is over-supplementation with vitamins (especially vitamin D3) and minerals. Check with your veterinarian about the need to supplement your pet's diet with any kind of vitamin or mineral.
What are box turtles' water requirements?
Fresh clean water should always be available to box turtles. Box turtles not only drink from the water bowl but will also bathe in it. Provide water in a shallow dish, crock, or pan that cannot easily be tipped over, and ensure the dish has a "ramp" (such as a rock, log, or commercially available turtle ramp) that allows the box turtle to easily climb in and out for soaking and drinking. The water should reach up to its chin when its head comes out of its shell. Change the water daily, and clean the water bowl frequently, as many box turtles will defecate or eliminate in their water bowls.
You can also mist your turtle with a water sprayer a few times a week to help keep it hydrated.
Since all turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria that is transmittable to people, always wash your hands thoroughly after feeding, cleaning, or handling turtles.
What are box turtles' UV requirements?
Box turtles require supplemental UV light if they are housed indoors. UVB light is essential for proper absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract. The light should be located no more than 12–16 inches from the turtle. Outdoor turtles get UV light from the sun.
