RE: Are they eating correctly?

Question
Hi again,

My 2 mississippi map turtles seem very active and healthy but i am a little worried as neither of them will really eat any greens. one of them will not even give lettuce the time of day!

I feed them on raw liver, beef, pork, prawns, fish, bloodworm and mussels at the moment, but neither of them have any interest in any fruit or veg at all!

I read somewhere that it is good for them to have access to lettuce and greens all day - as they would in the wild. So I left a little lettuce out  but they did not touch it, as far as i could see.

Is this normal/ healthy for them??  

Answer
Hello Tasha, it is pretty normal especially if the turtles are young. Hatchlings and Juveniles turn their noses up at veggies most of the time. They are more interested in protein. Usually as they get older they will tone down on the meat and turn towards vegetables.

But it is fine if they dont show any interest at all.

Do not feed them iceberg lettuce, it has no nutritional value. It is basically like eating solid water. There isnt anything to it.

Collared Greens, Mustard Greens, Turnip Greens, Dandelion Greens, Squash, Carrots, and occasional non citrus fruits are ok.

Hope that helps
Yexalen