Feeding and Nutrition :: Lettuce

[~Kaboyi]

My turtle just started getting into the habit of eating green leaf lettuce, but I'm not sure how much to give, and how big the pieces have to be. Olive is about 4-5 inches. Thanks!

[marisa]

How big are the leaves? I usually give my RES one large leaf or two smaller ones a day. This is along with any other food he might get. You can experiment a little, though. If you're turtle starts pooping flaky turds or, if your turtle leaves a fair amount, cut back on the amount some.

[~Kaboyi]

Oh, and I also would like to know whether the lettuce should be kept on land or floating in the water. Thanks for your opinion!

[~Kaboyi]

right now I'm breaking the lettuce into small pieces

[marisa]

Let it float in the water. They need to eat in the water.

Vary the green leaf lettuce with red leaf lettuce and other leafy greens, especially dandelions.

[~Kaboyi]

thanks, and should she only be fed lettuce once per day, or should it always be around?

[marisa]

I usually feed the lettuce once a day. Once it's gone, that's it until the next day. If your turtle always has it around, your turtle is likely to get sick of it. Vary the diet. If you want to leave something around, put a few head-sized pieces of cuttlebone in the tank (there are threads on this if you don't know what it is).

[~Kaboyi]

ok, thanks