geopi@hou2h.UUCP (G.COTSONAS) (06/18/84)
What does one feed a box turtle? My friend Tony is busy domesticating/harboring a turtle from the wild, feeding it only LETTUCE! There is some urgency in this, as it has been on this diet for TWO WEEKS! The turtle is approximately 6" long, with red stripes on the front legs. -George
wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (06/19/84)
Turtles (at least common box turtles) tend to be omnivores. My mother feeds her turtle steak (raw, chopped fine) and various vegetables, but she tends to such extremes. Seems to be a happy turtle (admittedly hard to tell that...), though. Try the following, in any combination: Earthworms (alive) Strawberries (no cream...) and other berries Various green vegetables (anything the turtle would be likely to run across in the wild or a garden - lettuce, broccoli, spinach, etc.) Mushrooms Chopped or ground raw beef Tomatoes, cut into chunks Insects, fairly large, juicy, & crunchy, like water bugs, crickets, or grasshoppers, but be careful not to get ones that have been poisoned or sprayed Fruit of various kinds (Chop or cut any fruit or vegetables into pieces the turtle can chomp onto; they get a little intimidated by a whole peach or whatever; it's like you trying to eat a beachball, after all.) You might try something like soft dog or cat food in small quantities, too, but that's a guess. Raw natural foods would be better. Variety is important: a) gives the imprisoned turtle something to live for; b) more likely to supply needed vitamins, minerals, & trace elements; c) you can tell what it prefers by what is eaten and what is left, so you can find out what to emphasize in the future. Good luck! Will PS - I've had several turtles, but have released back into the wild all of them, except the one my mother kept when I moved away from home 15-plus years ago, and who is still going strong. WM