More and more people are interested in feeding turtles, and why not? They are adorable and there’s nothing quite like them. You may have seen some turtles being fed dried mealworms, but is it safe? Or should you provide them with other types of food?
Turtles can eat dried mealworms, but they should be given as occasional treats rather than be part of their regular diet. The reason is mealworms have a high fat content which causes turtles to produce excessive waste.
Pet turtles are usually fed vegetables, pellets and live prey. But they can also eat mealworms. We’ll take a look at the benefits and also how often to feed them.
Are Dried Mealworms Good for Turtles?
Dried mealworms are a good addition to your turtle’s diet because they are packed with nutritional benefits. Mealworms are full of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. If those turtles you’re feeding need a nutrient boost, mealworms can help.
Here is what your turtle will get from dried mealworms.
- Protein: Turtles need a good amount of protein in their diet to support growth and shell development. Dried mealworms contain around 50-60% protein, making them a healthy food source.
- Healthy fats: In addition to protein, dried mealworms are also high in healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats are crucial for maintaining a turtle’s skin, shell and immune system.
- Vitamins and minerals: Dried mealworms are packed with essential vitamins and minerals including B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12), vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus and iron.
- Fiber: Dietary fiber in mealworms can improve a turtle’s digestion.
As you can see here, turtles will get a lot of benefits from eating mealworms. Now let’s take a look at how often you should feed them.
How Often to Feed Dried Mealworms to Turtles?
It’s best to use dried mealworms as a supplemental treat rather than a primary food source for turtles. If you want to make mealworms a part of their regular diet, their age, size and the other foods they eat have to be considered.
Here are some feeding guidelines. Remember these are guidelines and you should consider what other foods you feed them. A balanced diet is the key.
Adult turtles: For adult turtles, dried mealworms should be given on occasion or once a week. This ensures the turtle gets sufficient nutrients without being overfed protein.
Juvenile turtles: Juvenile turtles have higher protein requirements for growth and development. In my case I usually feed them mealworms 3-4 times a week. You can reduce this to twice a week if they are getting protein from other foods.
Baby turtles: For baby turtles, I recommend a diet of turtle pellets or live prey such as insects, fish or aquatic invertebrates. If you want to include dried mealworms in their diet, do so sparingly. About once a week is fine. You can increase the frequency as the turtle gets older. Make sure to store the mealworms properly to avoid spoilage.
Related. How to Store Dried Mealworms
Balancing Turtle Diet
Dried mealworms will provide turtles with a lot of nutrients. But they cannot and should not live on mealworms alone. They need to eat other kinds of food to improve their health and immune system.
Commercial turtle pellets: High-quality commercial turtle pellets should make up the bulk of your turtle’s diet. These are specifically formulated to meet the dietary needs of turtles and provide a balanced blend of nutrients.
Vegetables: Turtles should also eat a variety of fresh vegetables including leafy greens (e.g., romaine lettuce, kale, and collard greens) carrots, and squash. These vegetables have vitamins and fiber which they need.
Live or fresh foods: Live or fresh prey will be important to their diet depending on the turtle species. Younger turtles may benefit from small insects, while larger turtles can eat fish, earthworms or aquatic invertebrates.
Dried mealworms: dried mealworms can be a nutritious supplement to your turtle’s diet, in particular protein and fats. If mealworms will be a regular part of their diet, reduce the protein and fat intake they get from other foods.
How to Avoid Overfeeding Turtles
Different turtle species have different dietary requirements. Before getting one as a pet or feeding wild turtles, you should learn as much as you can about their diet. Turtles have to be fed properly to ensure they are healthy and not prone to diseases. Overfeeding can cause obesity and other health issues, so keep the following in mind.
Portion control: Turtles have relatively slow metabolisms, so overfeeding can lead to obesity. To avoid this, feed them small portions based on their age, size and species. You can feed adult turtles every 2-3 days, but younger ones may require more frequent feedings.
Balance their diet: Turtles need a balanced diet to stay healthy. They need a variety of foods including commercial turtle pellets, vegetables, fruits and protein sources like insects or fish. Variety ensures they receive all the essential nutrients.
Monitor their behavior: Pay attention to your turtle’s behavior. If they consistently leave uneaten food, it might be a sign that you are overfeeding. Remove any leftovers immediately to avoid mold and bacteria growth. This also keeps pests away.
Consider their age: Young turtles have higher metabolisms and growth requirements. As they get older, their metabolism slows down and you should adjust their feeding and portion size accordingly.
Stick to a schedule: Establish a feeding schedule and be consistent. Turtles often learn when to expect food and will be more active during feeding times. This also helps you avoid the temptation to overfeed them.
Don’t feed from your hand: Feeding turtles directly from your hand can make it challenging to control the amount they eat. Use a feeding dish or tongs to offer food, which provides a more controlled approach.
Avoid high-fat and low-nutrient foods: Foods like bread, crackers, and processed snacks are not suitable for turtles. These can lead to nutritional imbalances and health problems.
Preventing overfeeding is necessary for turtles, just like other animals. By following these simple guidelines, you can avoid overfeeding them but still ensure they get the right amount of nutrients.
Do Turtles Prefer Live or Dried Mealworms?
Turtles are opportunistic feeders. They will eat whatever is available to them whether it’s live or dried mealworms. When it comes to preference, it can vary from one species to another. Even among species, there could be individual preferences.
Live mealworms: Some turtles may prefer live mealworms because they provide more mental and physical stimulation. Chasing and capturing live prey can be a more engaging experience for them. If you notice that your turtle enjoys the hunt, you can occasionally offer live mealworms to satisfy their natural instincts.
Dried Mealworms: Dried mealworms are a convenient and practical option. They have a longer shelf life and are easier to store than live insects. They are also less likely to carry parasites or diseases that can be transmitted to your turtle. Some turtles readily accept dried mealworms and don’t show any preference for live prey.
Whether your turtle prefers live or dried mealworms may depend on their individual temperament and past experiences. It’s a good idea to offer both and observe your turtle’s response to determine which they prefer.
Conclusion
Feeding dried mealworms to turtles can be a valuable addition to their diet, offering essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, it’s crucial to use dried mealworms as a supplement rather than a primary food source.
How often you feed them is just as important. We have to resist the urge to overfeed them because that can cause health problems down the road. So just like people, a balanced and moderate diet is the best. Once your turtle starts eating a balanced diet, expect major improvements to their health and stamina.
