General Care Discussion :: Feeding Turtle

[ItsVicc]

Do I really feed the turtle as much as he can eat in 15 mins? He's only like 2 inches, will that be too much? I'm feeding him pellets by the way.

[freshprince2146]

Try feeding him as much food fits in the size of his head.

This is a good rule to not over/under feed.

[steve]

Please ignore the directions on the packaging.

Feeding directions on these products are often too generous and vague. An example would be (from Ecotherm Aquatic Turtle Medley): “Feed daily, do not feed more than turtle will consume at each feeding. The amount per feeding will depend on size and preference of your pet.” The overfeeding of pellets is a serious problem and a general guideline used by most experienced keepers calls for the amount of pellets to be in proportion to the size of their heads (excluding their necks).

[marisa]

Offer other foods besides pellets.

[ItsVicc]

thanks everyone, I tried giving him carrots but he won't eat them and I don't think he's big enough to eat live fishs

[TartarugaVerde]

if he is small, then boil the carrots/potatoes a bit make sure it is soft, watermelon too

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I use to do the 15 minute thing and my RES would never stop eating in those 15 minutes one day he ate around 30-40 pellets haha to much food!
So now i do the head sized portions for him

[mike hill]

Turtles are like pigs and will eat too much. In fact, they will make themselves sick. With a 2" hatchling I would stick to the amount the size of his head one time a day. When he gets about 3 to 4 inches you should drop back to that amount every other day. They learn to become beggers very quickly and don't give in.