Picky eater

Luis Taveras0

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Im trying to get my box turtle to eat lettuce but shes being really picky ive tried to mix food together but she wouldnt budge the only thing i can think of is keep offering it to her and she will give in but i dont want the poor thing to starve
 

Stuart S.

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Im trying to get my box turtle to eat lettuce but shes being really picky ive tried to mix food together but she wouldnt budge the only thing i can think of is keep offering it to her and she will give in but i dont want the poor thing to starve

How long have you had her?? Have you tried giving her worms? Most of a box turtle's diet usually consists of animal matter.
 

naturalman91

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Im trying to get my box turtle to eat lettuce but shes being really picky ive tried to mix food together but she wouldnt budge the only thing i can think of is keep offering it to her and she will give in but i dont want the poor thing to starve

Why do you want your turtle to eat lettuce? it's mostly water and filler there are better options
 

SarahChelonoidis

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What is your box turtle willing to eat? Lettuces aren't particularly nutritious so if they're not part of the diet, that isn't a concern, but that's assuming that good foods are being eaten instead.
 

cmacusa3

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How long have you had her?? Have you tried giving her worms? Most of a box turtle's diet usually consists of animal matter.
Actually about 60% give or take is animal matter. It's good for them to have some type of greens or veggies. I however wouldn't recommend the greens be lettuce.

In captivity the best box turtle diet is a wide variety of plant and animal matter.
 

Luis Taveras0

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What is your box turtle willing to eat? Lettuces aren't particularly nutritious so if they're not part of the diet, that isn't a concern, but that's assuming that good foods are being eaten instead.
Shes eating meal worms and earthworms as well as strawberry and tomatoes is it good to feed worms every day?
 

SarahChelonoidis

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What age box turtle are we talking about? Young ones are mostly carnivorous. If you're getting any fruit and veggies in at all, you're doing well. I'd try a prepared diet like Mazuri for fibre too. Mushrooms can also be offered. Lettuce has very little nutritional value. If you want fresh greens, try dandelion, chicory, and endive. A hatchling box turtle won't likely eat much of them, but it's good to introduce variety.
 

cmacusa3

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Sarah is right but after about a year old, I can get mine to eat all kids of stuff. Worms everyday isn't a good idea.
 

cmacusa3

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Yes it's okay for them to eat worms everyday. You're doing good if she's eating that fruit. Look through the list of nutritional greens below to try out, Mazuri is a great idea as well!
No you shouldn't feed them worms everyday, they will only want to eat worms and will not eat other stuff as a varied diet.
 

Stuart S.

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No you shouldn't feed them worms everyday, they will only want to eat worms and will not eat other stuff as a varied diet.

Okay, thank you for correcting me. I was implying worms would be okay as long as a varied green diet was included in their daily meals, I apologize.
 

cmacusa3

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No reason to apologize. It's just like if you feed your Sulcata mazuri everyday, eventually that's all it will want to eat.
 

Tortique

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Im trying to get my box turtle to eat lettuce but shes being really picky ive tried to mix food together but she wouldnt budge the only thing i can think of is keep offering it to her and she will give in but i dont want the poor thing to starve
Did you try bell pepper, my tortoise really loves it. And what kind of lettuce is it because iceberg lettuce makes the tortoise lazy.
 
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What is your box turtle willing to eat? Lettuces aren't particularly nutritious so if they're not part of the diet, that isn't a concern, but that's assuming that good foods are being eaten instead.

That's my problem, my tort doesn't eat other things. I tried many vegetables and greens and she either nibbles a little then leaves or completely ignores them. If I give her lettuce she eats it with a crazy appetite and will finish it all... Makes me feel bad for her.
 

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