What is the best food for turtles and how can you provide it? An understanding of the different elements of good nutrition will help you provide this and ensure the health and growth of your turtle.
This largely depends on the type of tortoise you choose to care for and will determine the best tortoise food to provide. Most chelonians are herbivores, meaning they eat a mix of vegetation and sometimes fruit, but it’s important to understand what good nutrition is and how essential it is to keeping a turtle happy and healthy.
Good nutrition is the cornerstone of good, long-lasting health for your pet turtle and there are 8 basics to consider. Each has its own purposes and functions and each part depends on the other. These elements include water, enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Water is very important to all forms of life and you will need to provide clean, fresh water every day to ensure your turtle stays hydrated. They absorb certain amounts of water from the food they eat, but they also need to have fresh water always available.
Enzymes have a number of functions for a turtle, but they break down specific parts of their food and without them they will get sick very quickly. Part of the reason they require a source of heat and light in specific amounts is because this helps the enzymes actually work.
Protein is essential for growth and development. Proteins help repair damaged body tissue, sexual maturation, and metabolism. They are also essential parts of the blood, digestive system, immune system, hormone production, and many other functions.
Carbohydrates are found in plant matter and one of their most important functions is to provide energy both for the tortoise and for bodily functions such as digestion.
Fats or lipids are not soluble in water and have a series of functions in the body that are essential for health. They are necessary for growth, healthy blood chemistry, normal kidney functions, as well as a fantastic source of energy.
Vitamins found in plants and animals are also essential to your turtle’s continued good health, as they work to metabolize food, ensure healthy growth, successful breeding, and cell reproduction. These are essential and you may need to provide vitamin supplements even though many turtle food manufacturers claim that they add vitamins to their commercially produced food.
Minerals originate from the earth and pass through plants and are then consumed by animals. They are essential and work with vitamins, enzymes and work best in conjunction with partners. Minerals are naturally present in the tissues, but again, you may need to provide supplements in your turtle’s food.
You must consider all of these elements to provide the best appropriate turtle food for your particular species of turtle. They don’t just need lettuce and carrots, but a variety of food groups. This short article is just to highlight how good nutrition requires an understanding of how each part works together to successfully process food. Your captive turtle can’t find its own food, it’s up to you to provide it and make sure it doesn’t suffer from problems like shell growth, respiratory illnesses, etc.