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Never having had a turtle before, I am really learning as I go with my two new turtles. They're both 2 inches, which would make them....hatchlings, right?

I've heard that they're more carniverous than adults. I'm still feeding them their pellets, but I think I should be adding some meat, and gradually adding the veggies as they get older. Everywhere I've looked, it's said worms and live feeder fish are the best sources of protein for younger turtles. Is there ANY other way I can get protein into them? Worms and live feeders would really freak me out...I'm getting worried just thinking about it. Would I have to chop up the worms? How would I get them...in a can? Would they be dead already? Lol! I'm totally lost here!

Every place I've looked has said not to overdo it on the lean chicken and turkey. But if I have to do the worms/fish, of course I'll do it. I'm just making sure this is my last resort.

And also, about 3-4 pellets for a 2-inch turtle?

Thanks for the info guys!!

As the rule that most on this site follows, feed as many pellets as you would be able to fit in your turtle's head if it were hollow (neck not included). I'm not sure which brand of turtle pellets you use, some a fat, while others are skinny, but I guess 3-4 are fine. 2 maybe even.

I suggest you consider reading the nutrition page on the main site again, it is extremely clear and helpful in promoting a healthy turtle.

Meat should never be fed, especially raw meat. Bacteria such as Salmonella on raw meat is somewhat common, and can not only cause sickness to us, but turtles as well. Some exceptions are boiled plain chicken, but because they are high in protein, should be a rare treat, once every few months is fine. Not to mention that it is often hard and frustrating to cut your turtle on meat once it has started, since to them, meat is like chocololate, or cigarettes for those of you that smoke, . Often they will refuse anything else other than meat, so it's another reason not to feed them meat.

Live prey, as suggested on the site, is tasty for turtles, and can be offered as a fun, rare treat, once every few weeks to months is more than enough, turtles are best served pellets and fresh green veggies (some exceptions apply, see what veggies NOT to feed your turtle). Most reputable turtle pellet brands have more than enough protein already in them, there is no need to put your turtle on a meat or live prey diet, it will only make them fat and generally, unhealthy. Feeder fish are fun to watch as occasional treats as I said earlier, but again, don't use it as a staple. As for worms, they are by no means necessary, and many successful turtle keepers have never fed worms to their turtles either, so unless you want to crush some worms, they are not required. If you do, best to wash them, throw out the nasty ones or ones that are clearly sick, and use common sense in selecting fresh worms. I think worms are better live than dead.

Often the result of overfeeding and too much protein is "Pyramiding", it is a serious and painful experience for a turtle, causing permanent and severe shell deformities. Do a search on the site and you will find pictures and more detailed information on this disorder.

When they say that hatchlings are more carnivorous, then they are implying that yes, hatchlings are more attracted to and prefer meat and other live prey more, but it does not mean you need to fill them up with protein and stuff. It simply means that they will reject vegetables more often, and instead, should be fed a good supply of pellets as compared to adult turtles, which should be fed equal amounts or more vegetables as compared to pellets.
And yes, they are still classified as hatchlings. After their first year, then they are referred to as yearlings (though the term is not as common), and afterwards, either adults or just normal turtles (correct me if I'm wrong).

I agree with everything Pizza said.

Also, if you want to feed them a bug/worm treat, you can go with the "can-o-worms", "can-o-hoppers", "can-o-crickets", etc. which are canned bugs & perfectly safe to give your turtles as a treat. These are made by the company ZooMed, and my adult turtle & aquatic frog really love them.

Some people on this board are also fond of feeding the "gut-loaded" crickets too. Gut loaded means they put extra vitamins into the cricket to make it more healthy for the turtles to eat.

You can also start veggies now. You might have a higher success rate if you start offering it earlier.

My hatchling loves her greens! We're running down the list and so far she likes all of them. I put fresh lettuce in with her every morning and it's gone before I get home from work.

::hugs all around::

Thank-you SO much! You have no idea how relieved I am that I found out this information sooner than later! I was going in the completely wrong direction! Just goes to show how much wrong info there is out there...


::goes off to read about veggies they can eat::

What brand of pellets are you feeding them? Pellets do contain a fair amount of protein, some have a greater percentage than others. Some pellets are larger than others as well, so it's hard to tell if 3-4 is enough or too much (I don't think the latter, though).

Forget the meat, especially hamburger, etc., even if it's cooked. Bits of boiled white chicken meat can be given rarely as a treat.

Personally, I don't give live fish, and my turtles seem to be doing fine without them. I do try to include some other live foods that they'd likely get in the wild, bugs (crickets) and worms (especially earthworms, which I do cut up if they're large---it's not that hard to get used to doing it).

Plant matter (veggies/aquatic plants) is good to give daily, and introducing it to them when they're small/young is good.