Feeding and Nutrition :: how much lettus?

[drtweak]

Spike goes though at least one leaf a day. I put one in a few hours ago and its half gone already! been feeding him veggines for about a month and a half now. he has slowly eaten more and more of it since we feed him less and less pellets. pellets are more of that "begging" treat. maybe 2-4 a day lol.

but for those who have full grown res how much veggies do they go though a day?

[Daniel3507]

i think the rule is about a shell size. thats good that he loves veggies so much. just remember that pellets should still be a big part of the diet

[SpotsMama]

Daniel is right. Pellets will always be an important part of the diet - half a headfull a day of good quality pellets for a grown turtle. For veggies - I'd give him/her as much as he/she wants as long as it doesn't give him/her the runs. Too much fiber (lettuce) will do that. If your guy likes a leaf a day and it does not give him diarrhea, then go for it. Don't forget to give him variety too - he needs several servings a week of carrot, tomato, bell pepper, blueberries, fresh basil, collard greens, steamed sweet potato, etc etc etc.

[drtweak]

yea we have been trying a few differnt things...

so far he doesnt like/care for

Mustard greens, raddish tops, carrots, bananas.

He does like

roman, red leaf, parsely.

need to try a few more things. going to see if he like basil and if so grow my own. havent tried tomatos, sweet potatos, bell pepper or other fruits.

[blulite]

Spike goes though at least one leaf a day.

i thought turtles shouldnt eat lettuce? or is it just iceberg. if they can what types?

[megcornell]

Turtles shouldn't eat iceberg because it has no nutritional value, it's like celery.
They can eat other leafy greens like romaine, collard greens, red leaf and green leaf lettuce, etc.

[blulite]

Turtles shouldn't eat iceberg because it has no nutritional value, it's like celery.
They can eat other leafy greens like romaine, collard greens, red leaf and green leaf lettuce, etc.

so what about cabbage ive also heard they shouldnt eat that also. and do they eat carrots? what about veg you put on a sundays dinner. can the turtle eat them as a treat on a sunday? just seems a bit nasty letting all the other family members eat a sunday lunch and not him

[pariah]

I think cabbage is high in calcium and should be good for them...if you can them to eat it. I haven't had any luck with cabbage.

At my grocery store (and probably yours) they list the vitamins and minerals in the veggies on a little sign near the price. I just usually pick something with a 3% more daily allowance of calcium.

[blulite]

[quote=I just usually pick something with a 3% more daily allowance of calcium.[/quote]

i prefer a cuttle fish for calcium just stick one it the tank and it puts calcium into the water. and if your turtle eats it well thats fine too. probably better actually.

however i have yet to try cabbage as i read some where that you should avoid it. and also avoid iceberg lettuce. what would you suggest as a good source of vitamin D. i know oily fish is good for it but how often should a turtle eat raw fish?