Turtle Food

Written By Shelley Whittington

The Eastern Box Turtle is an omnivore and an opportunist. They eat lots of invertebrates and whatever else they can find. At the Sanctuary, we supplement with fish, chicken, eggs, special turtle meatballs, and produce. Variety is key!

Slugs are quite possibly a box turtle’s favorite food.

Slugs are amazing, misunderstood, and underappreciated. Slugs do their part to keep our world clean, even if it is at ground level!

What else does the Eastern Box Turtle eat?

  • 75-80% of wild box turtles’ diet is protein, like slugs and bugs

  • Melons - cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon

  • Dark greens - romaine. kale

  • Fruit - grapes, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, pears, peaches, plums

  • Orange veggies - pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots

  • Occasionally corn, tomatoes, bananas

Shelley Whittington
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Box Turtle Myths