Feeding and Nutrition :: MEALWORMS?

[angela__k__84]

Hi, can anyone tell me why mealworms are not recommended for turtles?
Thanks.

[jenaero]

They are high in protein and really don't have any nutritional value. For small turtles, they can also be difficult to digest.

[angela__k__84]

Thanks for the reply.
Our turtles are about 5 and we were told that dried mealworms would be fine for them. They've been getting them for the past few months - can this have harmed them in anyway? We switched from the commercial pellets as they seemed to be mostly ash. Is there anything you could recommend that would be better for them. I offer them fresh fruit/veg every so often but they don't really seem fussed about it.

[untsmurf]

Read over this site:
http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Basically your turtle should be getting pellets every other day and veggies offered everyday. You need to make sure that they eat the veggies even if you have to use a little tough love. Anacharis, red leaf and green leaf lettuce are very popular. Dandelion greens are great! Mazuri and Reptomin are the two most highly recommended pellets. Meal worms should be offered only as a treat once every 3-4 weeks. Feeding it too often can result in fast growth which is really hard on turtle bodies.

[angela__k__84]

Ok, thanks for all the help. I will perserve with the veggies, and get some reptomin. Thanks.