She's confusing me...

[Moozillion]

I always thought mud turtles were pretty much carnivores and insectivores etc. But Millie seems to be biting the leaves of plants in her tank.
I didn't think she'd eat plants, so I have pothos having in her tank, and a peace lily in a perforated container: roots below the water level, but leaves above. Some of the peace lily leaves dip into the water, and I'm finding divots the size of a turtle mouth in the leaves- AND PIECES OF LEAF floating in the water!
She appears to be biting off bits of the peace lily repeatedly, but not swallowing it??
Should I put different plants in there?
Should I start feeding her plants?

 

[Yvonne G]

I would, since that seems to be on her menu. One thing my water turtles just LOVE is the water hyacinth.

 

[ZenHerper]

Even biting peace lily can be a problem IF reptiles are indeed as susceptible to their oxalates the way mammals are (raphide crystals). I place my degree of concern on a continuum based on the reptile's size.

Other obligate carnivore species (cats, forex) enjoy greenery now and again. So I'd definitely make other edible water plants available to her.

 

[Moozillion]

I would, since that seems to be on her menu. One thing my water turtles just LOVE is the water hyacinth.

There's plenty of water hyacinth in our ditches- if I rinse it well, do you think it would be ok?

 

[KronksMom]

@ZenHerper Sorry to distract from OP's main question, but what is a forex?

 

[ZenHerper]

@ZenHerper Sorry to distract from OP's main question, but what is a forex?

lol Sorry.

"for example"

 

[KronksMom]

lol I was trying to figure out what other animal was an obligate carnivore like a cat...now I feel dumb. I'm glad I at least asked and didn't just spend all day wondering what this mystery animal was!

 

[ZenHerper]

lol I was trying to figure out what other animal was an obligate carnivore like a cat...now I feel dumb. I'm glad I at least asked and didn't just spend all day wondering what this mystery animal was!

There are no dumb questions...only lazy internet abbreviations!

 

[KronksMom]

I have no fear of being seen as dumb. I ask a LOT of questions. How else can you expect to learn cool new stuff??

 

[Pastel Tortie]

I keep intending to acquire some duckweed to put in all of my turtle enclosures (spotteds, muds, boxie). I have yet to get around to it, though... but it's supposed to be safe, and I've heard many turtles like to dine on duckweed.