QuestionHi I have a year old 3 toed box turtle. I have had her for about 3 weeks. I was just wondering how often and how much I should feed her. I have tried to find the info via Internet but for some reason they just jump around that question. My boyfriend and I are getting a little worried cause she only eats every other day. And I just want to make sure that I am taking good care of her. To benefit her for her life from here on out. Hopefully you have the answers for me.
AnswerMy favorite site for Box Turtles is http://www.boxturtlesite.info
Portions: Figure a daily serving of food is about the same size as the turtle's head (squishing it down to fit). For the first year, we feed daily, then we start skipping a day a week for a couple years, then skip a couple days a week.
Diet: In the wild, they eat about 75% 'bugs' and other meats. Many websites recommend a diet too high in plants.
I go for a three-part plan:
1/3rd 'wild foods'- worms, insects, slugs and snails, pinkie mice, caterpillars, Superworms, etc. Avoid mealworms (too hard to digest).
1/3rd 'home meats'- cooked chicken, beef heart, hard boiled egg and shell, well-soaked 'weight maintenance' cat kibble, oily fish, etc. Avoid anything too fatty or processed.
1/3rd salad- dark leafy greens, yellow-orange veggies, mushrooms, strawberry, cactus pads, etc. Avoid too much of any fruit other than strawberry, but use any 'yard plant' it will eat- dandelions are especially good.