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Is a bit of protein in the diet required or recommended for mature turtles? Right now, both get Reptomin about every other day, and a variety of fresh veggies every second day.

Do they need a bit more protein that is provided in the reptomin? Back in the day, I used to feed my turts a couple of those freeze-dried brine shrimp every second day, but began to sway away from it because they kept driving up the price.
I've tried feeder fish with Ralph, but now I have one that I just couldn't let go of (she's pushing 2 years old!), and I don't think I want to go live prey again. I've also tried worms, but I felt sorry for them when they just sunk to the bottom and Ralph ignored them totally, so I ended up fishing them out (It's hard to find decent sized worms here anyhow).
I don't mind going back to the freeze dried stuff if it's beneficial, but I'd rather not buy it if it's just going to be a "treat" (I'd rather give them strawberries or grapes for treats), especially Frankie is a bit on the plump side.

Since strawberries and grapes are high in sugars, they should only be given as occasional treats anyhow. And it's probably good to give a variety of treats, not just sugary ones. If you can't do the live route, I hear they make freeze dried crickets that turtles love (I looked and haven't found them in PetSmart yet, but I'm going to keep looking). You can also give pieces of regular fish, like stuff you would eat. I personally will continue giving the protein "treats" because after having a varied diet with my cats, I think it's a good diet for the turtle too.

Hmm, thanks for the input.
I was just thinking about food that we have around.
I buy tuna for my cat. It's "cat grade" tuna, not cat food. It's basically tuna that didn't quite pass the bar for humans, so it has no additives at all, just tuna. Maybe I'll give them a chunk or two of that on occasion since there's always a can open in the fridge.

I think reptomin is fine as far as protien goes. Tuna's good for a treat, just be sure it's packed in water, not oil. Brine shrimp is kind of "junk food" i think, not a whole lot of nutritional value. It won't hurt as an occasional treat, but it's not necessary at all.

Yeah, I was wondering exactly that - if the brine shrimp was kind of equivalent to human chips

I think some protein is needed in the diet of mature turtles---a diet totally devoid of protein is ultimately an unbalanced one.

My RES is an adult, and he still gets protein treats---bits of hard-boiled egg whites, tuna, sardines, worms, small crickets (I don't like to give live prey when I can see their eyes, so I'm OK with worms ), etc. I just don't give them that frequently and give limited amounts when I do.

There is a brand of freeze dried crickets called Fluckers. They have two different types, a red and a blue one. I just have never been able to find them again. Anyone else found them around or online?

I have the Triple Medley, but http://www.amazon.com/Flukers-1-6-Ounce-Freeze-Dried-Crickets/dp/B0002DRJDG/ref=sr_1_sc_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1329126432&sr=8-10-spell Amazon has the pure crickets and they are gut loaded.

Tasha2455 wrote:There is a brand of freeze dried crickets called Fluckers. They have two different types, a red and a blue one. I just have never been able to find them again. Anyone else found them around or online?

Try making your own topic next time. As this one was 4 years old.

Flukers main website is : http://www.flukerfarms.com/