Theyve been photographed eating pigeons and even ducks, so dont let that ambling gait fool you! A dangerous amount for humans starts from 15 grams, but for turtles, the amount is a lot smaller. Turtles can eat almost all the fruits humans eat except citruses and fruits rich in potassium. Leafy green Kale contains calcium, fiber, antioxidants, iron, vitamin A, K and C, and more. Still, most ponds will offer a great variety of land and water plants, a great selection of insects that can also greatly change with the season, most ponds also have a lot of worms near them that can also be eaten by the turtles. But too much phosphorus can also make the shell a lot softer, and as a result much weaker when it comes to defending the turtle from predators. Again the only difference is that in some cases they might not be able to catch some bigger insects and animals. Turtles should eat a healthy mix between fruits, vegetables, meat, and pellets. Turtles can benefit a lot from the vitamins in the vegetables, just be careful because some vegetables contain little to no nutrients, and they are just a waste of time. And some vegetables, like spinach, contain oxalates that are actually harmful to turtles. You may think its a treat, but you could hurt the reptiles health. Keep an eye on the fish and remove its skeleton and entrails after it gets eaten. TurtleOwner.com is owned and operated by The Turtle Owner Team. Turtles are unique pets that are entertaining to learn about and watch. 9. So the babies should get plants once a week while seniors get meat weekly instead. What is the best food for turtles? But just because they can eat them, it doesnt mean that every vegetable is good for them. But what food is available in a pond depends on the region that its in. Plant-based food sources for your pet turtle should mostly be leafy greens like collards, dandelions, and mustard greens. A well-developed and fed adult turtle can survive without food for 3 to 6 months. But besides that, they will eat the same things. You can also offer your turtle some fruits, such as pears, raisins, figs, mango, and bananas. Be careful not to overfeed your turtle, this can lead to many health problems including pyramiding which can be a very serious and irremediable health problem. Not many animals can bite through a turtle shell. So, while you can put shrimp in a turtle tank, it isnt really recommended. Yes, turtles can eat broccoli leaves. [11], Always feed your turtle in water, limit the pellets to make up about 25% of the diet, and then make up the rest of the diet with the following items: Prey Items: Earthworms, crickets, waxworms, silkworms, aquatic snails, bloodworms, daphnia, shrimp, krill, and mealworms. Turtles like tortoises are cold-blooded reptiles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some turtles also enjoy eating aquatic plants. A 2:1 ratio is great, and this is what you should be aiming for, if the ratio goes higher its ok, but ideally this is the ratio that you are looking for. But, the preferences may vary from one species to another, even within the same species. Spinach, Mustard. Nuts also contain high doses of oxalic acid, the amount will differ from nut to nut but all of them contain doses that are too high. Map turtles, diamondback turtles, and musk turtles will crush and grind the mollusks as they eat them. I also did my experiment with one of my turtles. If plants have darker outer leaves with softer or lighter colors on the inside, dodge the lighter parts. Popular foods for pet turtles, depending on the species, include: Protein: Boiled eggs, mealworms, snails, crickets, earthworms Vegetables: Corn, beans, beets, carrots, peas, squash, yams Greens: Carrot tops, lettuce, collard greens, kale, mustard greens Fruits: Apples, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, banana, kiwi, mango, tomato WebBe sure to discuss a specific diet for your turtle with your veterinarian. And the same goes for the leaves and vines. We really appreciate the kindness and support that you show us! And they will also occasionally attack other living beings in the ocean that are smaller than them and who wont be able to outrun them, for example, crabs in some regions. Their diet can differ a little because they are bigger and in some habitats, this can help them catch animals that are a little bigger. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/turtles-box-feeding, https://turtleinformation.com/can-turtles-eat-flies/. Thats the same stuff your nails are made of. To treat Vitamin A deficiency, a veterinarian may recommend Vitamin A treatments injected or taken by mouth. [10], They often eat submerged plants like anacharis, water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed, azolla (fairy moss), and frog-bit. Almost every vegetable will benefit your box turtle, but as I said some of them have very little nutritional value so they wont do too much good for your turtle, and others have too much phosphorus which can actually be bad for turtles. WebGreens and vegetables: Vegetables should be about 10-15% of the diet. As for meat, they will eat anything they are able to find. Underwater, turtles dont have many predators because their shells are too tough. Vegetables are a good source of fiber and vitamins for your turtle, and they can be fresh, frozen, or canned. I did this experiment for 10 consecutive days. https://www.hartz.com/the-benefits-of-treats-for-your-turtle/%23:~:text%3DShrimp%2520are%2520a%2520common%2520food,Fruits%2520and%2520Vegetables. Before going to our main discussion, we should know whether you can feed vegetables to a turtle or not. Almost all vegetables contain calcium and phosphorus. Turtles need protein but too much of it can also be bad. As a general rule, especially for pellets and other non-living foods, only let your turtle eat as much as they can within about 20 minutes and then remove any leftovers. Calcium is essential for a healthy shell. But even for other turtle types, there are some foods you should avoid if you can. And theyre rarely on land so its only hatchlings that are exposed. I said that turtles can eat almost any kind of meat and vegetation but there are some exceptions to this. 19. There is nothing out there that can be named the best food. [2], Tortoises can absolutely eat bean sprouts! They will also eat fish if they have the chance, they usually get to eat bits of fish that they find floating around from a recently dead fish. (The temperature should be between 70F and 80F.) Boiled or steamed vegetables are also fine. Crocodiles dont prefer to eat turtles. Other Vegetables: Carrots (both the orange vegetable and the green top), squash, and green beans. WebOther vegetables you can feed your turtle include cooked sweet potato, boiled or steamed carrots, squash, pumpkin, and green beans. Some turtles are vegetarian but not all of them. A 1:1 ratio means that the amount of calcium is equal, or almost equal to the amount of phosphorus. Many turtle owners also choose to chop a mix of vegetables to feed them, so the turtle isn't just eating one type and avoiding other nutritious plants they might not like as much. The answer is yes. Turtles can become obese just like humans and many other animals. Some of the vitamins and nutrients from vegetables help people remain healthy to have little to no beneficial effect on turtles. Some of those vegetables are iceberg salad, cucumbers, eggplants, and some mushrooms. Green tomatoes arent safe for them. If you got your turtle from the pet store, the staff can probably tell you what species your new pet is. And the aquatic turtles arent different. This depends on the habitat they are in and their species, remember that not all turtles are the same. Some of the vegetables that can be included in their diet are leafy greens, such as collard greens and kale, as well as colorful vegetables like bell peppers and carrots. Dill Weed. We hope you will enjoy the site and that you will find what youre looking for.. Because of their young age and small size, they will not be able to catch as many small animals and insects, but when they do catch them they will eat them. Also, well discuss the things like- how to feed vegetables to turtles, how often I should feed my turtle vegetables and at what amount, and more in this blog post. Cut up pieces of apple, lettuce, blueberries, corn or any number of other produce can make great treats for your turtle. Some turtle farms breed them for research and export. Moreover, vets recommended amount of vegetables for your pet turtle is more than 50% of the total diet. Its okay for a few dishes to be boring, but mix the textures, colors, and flavors available. Baby turtles usually eat the same thing as adult turtles, there are a few exceptions to this but they will usually eat the same thing. But the sugar in grapes and their ratio of calcium-phosphorus isnt the best for reptiles. They will usually be able to eat all of the plants that grow in the area that they live in, most turtles know how to differentiate poisonous or otherwise dangerous plants from the edible ones. [27], In the wild, turtles eat a variety of things including worms, small insects, snails, and fish. WebNaturally, Snapping turtles often consume and a wide plant range, including: Algae Grass and Boss moss Water lilies and Water hyacinth Water fern and Water salad Hydrilla and Mermaid weed The fact is that a snapping turtle will eat anything it finds, whether it is in its natural environment or you keep it as a pet in a tank. This means that if a turtle species is carnivorous, they will be carnivorous when they are babies and when they are adults. After that, remove the remaining foods from the tank or water. Dont worry about starving your turtle, in the wild they are used to going for entire months without food, and you are not taking all the food away, you are still giving it the possibility to eat a lot of food. Make sure your tanks temperature and water temperature, lighting, and size are ideal for your turtles species. on turtles, we know for sure that its ok for them to eat cooked food that we eat. Can turtles eat fish food? How to serve the food. But this question got me thinking about what turtles eat in general. Hatchling needs more than 70% protein and calcium. These should be powdered form, sprinkled over their food. Avoid vegetables with low nutritional value like lettuce and celery. Therefore, try to avoid these as much as possible. A turtle should eat or be fed at least once a day. Itll be a different case if you have a baby turtle. Cut up fruit into small pieces before feeding it to your turtle. Like cucumber, it can be a good treat to use in hotter weather to help cool and hydrate your tortoise. The first possibility is that your turtle is too young. When Did The Chinese Alligator Become Endangered? Also, you can offer fruits as a treat and occasional nutritional supplements to your pet turtles. Turtles should eat a healthy mix between fruits, vegetables, meat, and pellets. Tomato leaves. However, if your turtle isnt like to eat vegetables, theres an alternative way to give them the nutrition they need. If you want to do this experiment please share the results in the comment section. Below is a list of the healthiest vegetables for box turtles. Can turtles eat tomatoes ? Most wild turtles will never come into contact with a tomato, but they will most probably eat it. In the US, turtles are mostly kept as pets. Given a choice, opt for veggies rather than fruit. So, find yours. Well, most of the turtle species can eat similar types of vegetables. Bean sprouts Bean sprouts Turtles can safely eat both mung bean sprouts and soybean sprouts. I personally like to feed my box turtle Greenleaf and Redleaf salad, they are not too expensive and he seems to like it. Phosphorus is what gives turtle shells a little flexibility, which is great because this little extra flexibility makes them more resistant to bites and other types of impact. But if possible such a vegetable should be avoided. Bananas are fruit and turtles can in general eat fruits, so you can feed a turtle a banana occasionally, but you shouldnt make it one of its main food sources. So they can advise you on their preference (herbivore/carnivore/omnivore). Box turtles can eat almost every type of vegetable, the only ones that should be avoided are those with a high volume of phosphorus and those with little nutritional value. Both of them have really good nutrition values for turtles and my turtles like them both. Vegetables dont provide enough protein to keep a turtle healthy and active. But there are still some species that have a more different way of doing things. (Identification, Dangers & Cleaning Tips), How Long Can A Turtle Go Without Eating? Along with fish, worms and insects, offer them green, leafy vegetables and aquatic plants such as water lettuce, water hyacinth and duckweed. The shrimp wont last for long. However, before giving any greens, you must check their nutritional value. Collards. The pellets will be a substitute for the meat. There are commercial turtle foods available. Bread for similar reasons. And If you happen to have a hatchling, only vegetables cant give them proper growth nutrition. When they get too cold, they have to sit on a rock and bask in the sun to raise their body temperatures. If you offer fruit to your turtle s/hell probably eat it. Keeping pets is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it requires careful consideration and planning. [26], Even the most well-fed of turtles will eventually want to have a bite of the shrimp swimming around in their tank. lettuce (romaine, red leaf, and green leaf) Aloe vera. 3.2:1. Up NextMore Crocs! Theyre poisonous to turtles and can cause trauma to various problems. Their main source of meat in the wild is usually insects, worms, and mollusks, but they will also eat fish if they have the chance to catch one or find a dead one. Yes, turtles can eat and love tomatoes. Their habits, habitats, maintenance needs, and diets vary. (Can They Live Together?). Actually, in some cases, fish food contains more nutrients good for your turtle than turtle food does. Vegetables are a great addition to your turtles diet. What Are The Habits Of The American Alligator. When it comes to what I feed my turtles I usually like to mix things up once in a while when it comes to pellets so I usually give them Zoo Med Natural Aquatic Turtle Food and Mazuri Aquatic Turtle Diet. So if you have turtles at home, warm their water in the winter. Hygiene. Theyre sifting through it for appropriate food. However, the cooked ones arent likely to interest this reptile species. Jellyfishes are probably the main source of meat ( some species There are many benefits to them eating it. This is because the rotting leftovers could turn the water toxic for your turtle. If you prefer organic calcium, bake eggshells for 30 minutes at 300F. But even among turtles, you have over 300 species to identify. So they may pick soil. If you enjoy the content that we create, please consider saying a "Thank You!" The plants that they eat are duckweed, watercress, various types of algae, and many others found in their habitat. That said, offer calcium and phosphorus supplements twice a week. For humans phosphorus is a very important mineral that helps filter waste, repair tissue and cells, etc. You can keep them outdoors in a stock tank or a pond. But, can you feed the turtles only vegetables? And the toxic vegetables mentioned in the previous topic are the same for every species. Moreover, only vegetables can make them apathetic in eating. If you want to know more about this subject you can read my article in which I cover this subject more in-depth, you can find the article right here. Excessive or regular consumption of Broccoli, Cabbage, and Bok Choy can cause kidney disease and goiter problems. These include melon, berries, pears, and steamed apples. The eggs hatch and find their way back to the ocean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information contained on American Tarantula & Animals is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Ask the pet store owner if they know what species of turtle you have and if they have specific tips. Goldfishes. These can include: grated raw carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, corn on the cob; greens such as collards, dandelions, escarole, romaine, kale. Keep fruits and flowers in low rotation. Itll be helpful for the other readers and us as well. But, you shouldnt feed only vegetables continuously. In addition, your turtle will need calcium. And some of them apply to tortoises as well. By vegetables, we mean all sorts of leafy greens and other vegetables. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. As a pet, turtles can live 20 to 40 years. This is why baby slider turtles are carnivores or insectivores when they are babies and they will become omnivorous when they are older. [14], If your turtle hasnt eaten in a week or if you notice signs of illness coupled with a lack of appetite sooner than a weeks passing, its time to get your turtle to a reptile veterinarian. Aquatic turtles, Testa added, help maintain clean marine ecosystems by transporting an array of small crustaceans, remoras, algae and diatoms that live on them for brief periods. If you are considering keeping ducks and turtles together, you may be wondering if this is a We are a passionate group of writers and researchers who write about pet turtles and tortoises. If youre stuck between a tortoise and a turtle as a pet, turtles need less space (an aquarium will do) but are less cuddly. We are a passionate group of writers and researchers who write about pet turtles and turtles in general. So a vegetable with this ratio is not that great for turtles, but its not harmful either. Turtles are slow and have no teeth so how do they hunt? Make sure you get insects from a pet store or undeveloped field, or raise them yourself, to ensure quality and safety. They just sidle up to slow animals. They include: Dont rush for the easiest or most convenient food. List of vegetables box turtles can eat. If it still doesnt eat replace more of its food with vegetables. Does this mean that you can give your turtle cat food instead of its normal food? One of the most stereotypical vegetables that many people feed to tortoises, iceberg lettuce is fine for tortoises but has very little nutritional value. So if youre raising turtles, youll have to actively protect the eggs. Flowers are okay in moderation. Turtles can choke on the plastic. When people see my pet turtles one of the first things they ask me is What do turtles eat? and I usually tell them what kind of food I feed my turtle. WebSome of the best vegetables that you can feed your painted turtle are: Collards Spinach, Mustard Turnip Greens Lambsquarters Dill Weed Beet Greens Dandelion Greens Chinese Pet turtles will eat the same things as they would eat in the wild. Here is what I found out. Hey Google How Does The Chinese Alligator Differ From The American Alligator. Turtles lack the enzymes needed to break down foods like bread. How much to feed them. Turtles can eat ants, and they will eat ants pretty often in the wild. But no matter how much food you feed your turtle you should always feed it at least once a day. Most ponds will also attract birds that will occasionally be prey for the turtles. To find out which vegetables can box turtles eat, I decided to do some research. Younger turtles between about 7 to 10 years old usually need a larger share of animal-sourced foods. You can also feed them cooked chicken, beef, and turkey. Turtles need lots of foods with vitamin A, so choose plants like carrots, squash, bell peppers, and other red, orange, and yellow vegetables. WebWhat Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. So, its the main food of this reptile species. A study showed that young slider turtles were carnivorous or insectivorous while the adults in the same lake were herbivorous, this is mostly because slider turtles prefer animal meat and insects over vegetation but because they were unable to find any insects, fish, or meat they resorted to eating vegetation. This is a question that many people may wonder, particularly if they live in an area where winter temperatures can drop well below freezing. WebTurtles also prefer leafy green vegetables, such as kale, mustard greens, and collard greens. Telling tortoises apart from turtles may have been your biggest question. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems, Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy, Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Protect Your Cat From These Household Hazards. 14.5:1. The turtles were cold-stunned. Also, we mentioned before that raw carrots and broccoli contain a high amount of sugar, which can be hard for the turtle to process. Australian Hero Fights off Charging Crocodile With a Frying Pan But from now on you should give them some better vegetables. Reptiles can get calcium from fish and aquatic dishes so theyre good. An adult turtle should eat, on average, every 2-3 days.Jul 26, 2022[13], How many days can turtle survive without food? As for your pet turtle, you should give it some tomatoes occasionally, they can only improve the health of your turtle. by leaving a tip. Here you will also find countless interesting turtle facts about turtles, tortoises, terrapins and sea turtles. Turtles love to eat, usually, they will eat everything that you put in front of them, and this includes vegetables. But fortunately, this is a common problem that has a simple situation. So they were captured, hidden up in a warehouse, then released in warmer waters. The only thing you should be careful about is to make sure that they dont have too many chemicals added to them. Calcium is essential for every animal in this world that has bones. The fact that they are not doing so makes me worried that the water is too cold. Younger turtles need more meat while older ones need more vegetables. (Including List)turtleowner.com what-vegetables-can-red-eared-sliders-eat[8], Avoid These Red-Eared Slider FoodsFeeder fish.Crickets.Earthworms.Crayfish.Ghost shrimp.Krill. Turtles prefer dark leafy green vegetables like kale, greens, spinach, etc. These should all be washed thoroughly before feeding them to your turtle. In the wild, turtles come on land to lay eggs about 150 eggs and bury them. Vegetables should hold around 50-60% of the total diet with 30-40% commercial food and protein. What Foods Are Poisonous To Red-Eared Sliders? Moreover, with the same type of vegetable every day, itll make turtle apathy in eating. And the results were exactly what I expected. First, serve them as raw or boiled, and observe what theyre doing. Turnip Greens. Pet turtle care doesnt involve as much hands-on training as dogs and cats, but turtles have particular needs like appropriately-sized tanks, UVB light, and the right kind of diet. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Yes, turtles can eat fish food. Hibernation and stress can also lead to lack of appetite in turtles. As I mentioned there are some turtle species that will not always eat the same things when they are babies as they will when they will be adults. How Many People Are Killed By Alligators In Florida Every Year? A baby turtle can only survive for 1 to 2 months. Other turtles have softer lips so they swallow their food whole. What Is A Red-Eared Slider Favorite Food? Spinach inhibits calcium absorption which is very important for turtles, especially when they are young. In general, dark leafy vegetables are the healthiest vegetables for box turtles. The herbivores eat plants and the omnivores eat mollusks that are equally slow. There is nothing out there that can be named the best food. Now you already know, vegetables are the main food for adult turtles, And baby turtles also need vegetables too. Dark leafy greens, such as collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, endive/escarole, dandelion greens, beet tops, spinach, and kale (but be aware of the oxalates in the type of greens you are feeding since foods high in oxalates can bind calcium in your box turtle, making feeding them counterproductive) Chinese and green cabbage. However, you need to make sure that you feed your tortoise the correct amount of bean sprouts to ensure that these benefits are not outweighed by the risks.Apr 7, 2022[3], So while they arent toxic or poisonous in any way, Bean Sprouts should definitely be avoided in the tortoise diet. Most omnivorous species usually prefer meat over vegetation, most of them are actually omnivorous because they cant obtain enough meat so they resort to eating vegetation to survive. Big turtles eat the same things as small and medium-sized turtles. Water bowls should be washed and filled with clean water every day. A so-called sub-adult turtle (six months to one year old) cant go more than a day without eating. And the amount will vary according to their age and taste preferences. Turtles will eat dead animals in a pinch (carrion, aquatic road kill, etc.) You can also serve small chunks of melons, tomatoes, guavas, peaches, raisins, star fruit. Make Sure the Water Is Warm Enough. And there are two possibilities. When they are at those life stages they are growing a lot faster than adult box turtles, and to grow this fast they need a lot of protein that they get from meat. I mean, its preferable to have her eat actual veggies rather than Legumes are okay in moderate amounts try peas and green beans. Commercially available reptile pellets provide an excellent protein source. Red-Eared Slider Turtle Diet. And when theyre underwater, they can only survive in waters over 50F. Dandelion Greens. Moreover, dont be shy to add a new vegetable to the list. If it catches the bird, yes. Animal food sources. Your turtle can also eat some fruits. If you have the time you should also do this experiment, it can be really fun to see how your turtle reacts and you will also learn more about your turtle. Lambsquarters. If you were thinking of feeding your turtle ants then you should do this with caution, if there are too many ants, or they are from a dangerous species, things can become dangerous for your turtle. Can Turtles Eat Broccoli Stems? But theres much more to consider whether youre keeping turtles for science or companionship. Plant food sources. Hence the cycle continues. As you may know, turtles are omnivorous species that eat and need both vegetables/plant matter and meat-based foods. Welcome to the site and we hope you find what youre looking for. Your email address will not be published. All rights reserved. All types of turtles love dark leafy green vegetables. Since most turtle species are omnivores they will eat anything that is at their disposal. And the fact that both of them come from trusted brands is a plus. Turtles can benefit a lot from the vitamins in the What Is The Lifespan Of A Chinese Alligator? Required fields are marked *. Calcium Powder. [17] Can Turtles Eat Zucchini Skin Zucchini for turtles and torts? These bowls should be tough to tip, especially for box turtles. They can enjoy raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, and dried shrimp. In general, vegetables are regarded as great food sources that can help any person maintain good health, but turtles dont benefit the same way from vegetables as we do. How Toxic Are Potato Leaves?urbanfishkeeping.com Turtle[18], Potatoes arent the healthiest food you can give your turtle, but they likely wont cause any severe problems. However, the leaves still contain goitrogens, just like the rest of the vegetable, so it needs to be fed in moderation. Yes, turtles can eat grass. Plants with oxalates and goitrogens can stop your turtle from metabolizing calcium so keep the spinach and swiss chard in the tiniest amounts possible. Feeding your turtle live prey also lets them hunt and get exercise. (Affecting Factors & Caring Tips), How Long Can A Sea Turtle Hold Its Breath? Again the only exception to this is if your turtle is unable to eat it. 0 comments Best Add a Comment More posts you may like Your email address will not be published. What vegetables can box turtles eat? [4], Tortoises are mainly herbivorous (plant eaters) They will eat leaves, flowers, and fruits of plants, and 90% of the diet should consist of a salad made up of a combination of the following greens: alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, beet greens, broccoli leaves, cabbage (outer green leaves), mustard greens, tofu, turnip [5], Although sulcata will eat animal protein, it should be avoided as it will cause carapace deformity. Clean any uneaten food out of their tank regularly so that it doesnt grow unwanted bacteria and algae. [1], Never feed your box turtle any of the following foods: The amount of food to give your pet turtle depends on its species. Most turtles in the world can be found near ponds because there is a lot of food available for them out there. Here Are Some Tips All New Turtlekeepers Should Know., The Spruce Pets: What Should I Feed My Red-Eared Slider Turtle?, VCA Hospitals: Common Diseases of Aquatic Turtles., Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics: Most Common Obese Exotic Pets: No. Often when crocodiles try to catch turtles, the turtle escapes anyway due to the shape of its shell. Make Sure the Water Is Warm Enough. Moreover, you can divide a week like 4 days vegetables and 3 days meat-based food. Herbivorous or omnivorous turtles eat bugs and insects in addition to algae, grass, and plants. Turtles can eat lettuce and they should occasionally do so, turtles are able to enjoy the full benefits of the nutrients of the lettuce thus making lettuce a great food for turtles.