General Care Discussion :: Ummmm feeding Question

[kimmie_Kichi]

Hi,
My hatchling Kimmie won't eat fruits or veggies she will however eat snails and meal worms...she doesn't really like the pellets though shes eatten two since I got her yesterday. Is this ok or no?

[ellman605]

snails are fine, mealworms are more for a treat once a month. Sounds like you'll have to do some tough loving, offering only the foods that are good (pellets, and once you get her on pellets, go on to veggies) and not offering snails and mealworms. And don't worry, she won't starve herself

[kimmie_Kichi]

Oh boy hope she doesn't hate me! Any suggestions on what else to try anyone?

[cprcheetah]

Most 'new' turtles won't eat for a few days in their new surroundings. Give them time! As far as 'making them eat' the right stuff....tought love! My Zeke loves Crickets and Shrimp....does he get them every day....absolutely not as it's not a balanced diet for him. Granted he is underweight (just got him 2 weeks ago) and have been feeding him Protein more often than I will once he is at correct weight, but that is ONLY to help him gain weight. Some people have to break the pellets in 1/2 for their baby turtles which is something you may have to do...make sure everything is bite sized pieces for your tiny baby right now.

[SpotsMama]

Turtles love to nibble on a cuttlebone - the kind you give to birds. You're supposed to break the cuttlebone into pieces and scrape off the hard yellow backing then put it in the water for them to snack on. Cuttlebones are very good for them because they need lots of calcium.

[kimmie_Kichi]

Are strawberry leafs ok to eat?

[marisa]

Pieces of strawberry are Ok to give on occasion, but I've never heard of anyone wanting to give their turtle the leaves...I'd stick to the more conventional leafy greens that are recommended. I think they're more tender than strawberry leaves, which I remember as being rather tough. I seem to remember (it's been a long time since I've picked my own strawberries) that strawberry leaves have some fuzz/ little hairs on them (?), which I don't think would be appealing to eat.