Types of Insects Box Turtles Eat

Ornate box turtles are found across North America but are most common in the western states.

Box turtles are the most common terrestrial turtle in the United States, with the American box turtle, eastern box turtle and the ornate box turtle being the most common. Box turtles eat more worms and insects as juveniles, but as they grow, a healthy diet should also contain vegetables, dark leafy greens, fruits and flowers. Young box turtles should be fed daily, but as they mature, may prefer to eat every other day.

Worms

Protein from worms and other insects should account for 50 percent of an adult box turtle's diet. Earthworms are their favorite and some will feed almost exclusively on them. Use night crawlers, not red worms or compost worms. Box turtles also enjoy waxworms and silkworms. Mealworms should be gut-loaded on dark greens before offering them to your turtle. They can be hard to digest, so should be given as an occasional treat. Worms can be purchased from pet stores, reptile or bait shops. They can also be caught outdoors in pesticide-free gardens.

Insects, Slugs and Snails

Box turtles will eat crickets, grubs, beetles and caterpillars. Crickets should be fed a high-calcium, gut-loading cricket food two days before feeding them to your turtle to avoid calcium deficiency. They also enjoy slugs and snails, which you can catch from your garden. Feed them dark, leafy green vegetables four days before offering them to your turtle. Any poisons they might harbor will die off during that time. Insects and snails can be purchased from a pet store or reptile supply shop.

Other Types of Foods

Fresh vegetables should account for 30 percent of your turtle's diet. You can offer grated carrots, bell peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, green beans, squash, peas, corn, cucumber, asparagus, tomatoes and mushrooms. Dark leafy greens should make up 10 percent of your turtle's diet and include romaine lettuce, red or green cabbage, turnip, mustard and collard greens. Fruits and flowers should make up 10 percent of your turtle's overall diet. Box turtles will eat grapes, apples, pears, blackberries, mulberries, peaches, cherries, strawberries and bananas (with skin). Box turtles also enjoy dandelions, roses, carnations, hibiscus and geraniums.

Keeping Box Turtles

Box turtles are primarily land tortoises, but require access to water for hydration and waste excretion. They need proper heat, lighting and housing. Do not use cedar chips for your turtle's bedding. They are toxic and can damage their respiratory tract. Box turtles carry the bacteria associated with salmonella which is easily transmitted to children. In some states the eastern box turtle is endangered. Check with your local Fish and Wildlife office to ensure you are not keeping an eastern box turtle illegally.

References

• Exotic Pet Vet; Nutrition of Turtles and Tortoises; Margaret A. Wissman, DVM, DABVP; 2006
• VCA Animal Hospitals and Specialty Animal Hospitals: Turtles-Box-Feeding
• Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection; Box Turtles; 1994
• Best Friends Animal Society; Caring for Your Box Turtle; Mark Burgess, DVM
• Box Turtle Care and Conservation Webpage; Diet and Feeding Your Box Turtle; Tess Cook; 2010

Resources

• North American Box Turtles: Links About State Laws
• Box Turtle Care; General Care of American Box Turtles; Mary Hopson
• North American Box Turtles: Sources of Insects for Feeding Box Turtles