Turtles will usually eat everything that you put in front of them, but that doesn’t mean that it’s good for them. This got me wondering, would turtles eat fruits? Are fruits actually good for turtles? To find out the answers to these questions I decided to do some research, here is what I found out.
Turtles can eat fruits. In the wild turtles will eat fruits every time they get the chance. The diet of a pet turtle shouldn’t completely rely on fruits, but they should be a part of it.
Fruits have a lot of beneficial effects on turtles, but not all fruits are the same. Some fruits are actually bad for them. So let’s take a look at which fruits should be avoided, which are good for them, and how many fruits you should include in the diet of your turtle.
How Often You Should Feed Fruits to Your Turtle?
The short answer to this question is not too often. Even if fruits have a lot of benefits they still possess significant amounts of phosphorus, which is bad for the health of any turtle. In general, a good turtle diet will contain at least two times more calcium than phosphorus. And since most fruits don’t contain any calcium, it would be hard to obtain that ratio if you give them fruits too often.
If the amount of phosphorus is significantly higher than the amount of calcium, the turtle will end up developing bone diseases.
But as I said different fruits contain different things, so it also depends on what fruits you feed your turtle. For example, bananas contain three times more phosphorus than apples. So instead of giving your turtle 100 grams of bananas, you could give it 300 grams of apples, and the amount of phosphorus would be almost the same, but the number of vitamins will be higher with the apples.
I personally feed my turtle fruits once or twice a week. If I give him something with a high amount of phosphorus I will only feed him once a week, but if the amount is low, I will give him fruits two times a week.
Now let’s see what fruits you should avoid and then which fruits contain the most phosphorus.
Fruits That You Should Avoid
Most fruits are ok for a turtle to eat, even if they contain a lot of phosphorus. The only fruits that you should avoid are citruses. They contain citric acid which will irritate the stomach of the turtle, and this can lead to vomiting, and in some cases even to problems worse than that. So avoid oranges, lemons, grapefruits, mandarins, limes, pomelo, and any other citrus.
Fruits with High Amounts of Phosphorus
Here is a list of fruits that contain a high amount of phosphorus. The amount of phosphorus is 100 grams.
- Raisin
- Prune
- Date
- Avocado
- Guava
- Banana
- Coconut
- Kivi
- Persimmon
- Cantaloupe
- Apricot
- Pomegranate
- Honeydew
- Nectarine
- Mulberry
- Peach
Even if those fruits have a lot of phosphorus you can still occasionally give them to your turtle if you want, but only in small quantities, and if you make sure that you give them something with a lot of calcium right after that.
The Positive Effects of Fruits for Turtles
The positive effects of fruits come from the high amount of vitamins that they contain. And turtles like all animals need vitamins in order to live a healthy life.
Each fruit contains a different amount of vitamins, so each fruit will have different benefits.
Now let’s take a closer look at different vitamins and see how they benefit a turtle.
Vitamin A plays an important role in the condition of the skin. Without a proper amount of vitamin A, a turtle will usually start shedding excessively, which will make it more vulnerable to infections and will make the water dirtier a little faster. Vitamin A also helps the eyes remain healthy and helps the body with reproductive functions.
Vitamin B6 plays a very major role in energy conversion. To put it simply vitamin B6 helps turtles remain energetic throughout the day, without it they will feel tired constantly. Vitamin B6 can be mostly found in berries.
Vitamin C, as you know vitamin C plays a very important role in the maintenance and development of the bones. And since almost the entire body of the turtle is covered with a shell, which is made out of bones, vitamin C is essential for them. Lucky for turtles vitamin C can be found in most fruits, so they don’t usually have deficiencies.
Another benefit of fruits over other food sources is that they have little to no fat. If turtles eat a lot of fat, they can develop heart problems. But when it comes to fruits, almost no fruit contains more than 0.5 grams of fat per 100 grams.
Related Questions
Can turtles eat vegetables? Yes, turtles can eat vegetables. 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.
Can tortoises eat fruits? Yes, tortoises are also turtles, the major difference between them is that tortoises live on land, and turtles live in water. But in the rest, they are very similar. Turtles and tortoises need the same vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to live a healthy life. So you can feed the same fruits to a turtle and a tortoise without any problem.
Why is my turtle not eating fruits? There are three possibilities. The first one is that you didn’t feed your turtle fruits for a long time, and you only feed it meat or pellets, and not it will prefer those over fruits. To solve this you have to reduce the amount of meat and pellets you feed it and offer its fruits to compensate for the missing pellets or meat. The second possibility is that your turtle is scared, this usually happens if you just got your turtle, or if something is stressing it, to solve this try removing any stress sources in the vicinity. The third possibility is that your turtle is carnivorous. Not all turtles are omnivorous, some of them only eat meat, and don’t eat fruits or vegetables at all.
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Hi Phyllis
my tortoises has been in our family for 30 plus years and in the last 6 months has kinda stopped eating like useally she stopped eating fruit altogether eats a little lettus but kinda picks at it, she eats the worms still but she hangs out of her shell. i know she doesnt out grow her shell but it looks like its to small for her. can you tell me when i could take her like for my dog i would go to the vet but idont know where to take a tortoises.
I understand your concern about your long-time pet tortoise’s change in behavior and eating habits. When a tortoise stops eating, it’s often a sign that something might be wrong. There could be various reasons for the change in behavior, including health issues or environmental factors. Here are some steps you can take to help your tortoise:
Temperature and Lighting: Ensure that your tortoise’s enclosure has the correct temperature gradient and access to UVB lighting. Tortoises need warmth and UVB light for proper digestion and metabolism.
Check for Health Issues: If your tortoise’s shell appears too small for her, this could indicate pyramiding (abnormal shell growth). Consult a reptile veterinarian for an examination and to determine the best course of action.
Dietary Changes: Continue offering a variety of foods, including a mix of leafy greens, vegetables, and a calcium source. While tortoises can go through periods of reduced appetite, it’s essential to monitor her health closely.
Environmental Factors: Ensure that the tortoise’s enclosure is appropriate and free from stressors. Changes in the environment, such as disturbances or sudden temperature fluctuations, can affect a tortoise’s behavior.
Hydration: Make sure your tortoise has access to clean, shallow water. Dehydration can also affect her appetite.
Vet Visit: It’s important to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles. They can provide a thorough examination and run any necessary tests to determine if there are underlying health issues.
Tortoises can live for several decades, and changes in their behavior or appetite can indicate health concerns. Early intervention by a knowledgeable reptile veterinarian is crucial. You can search for a reptile veterinarian in your area, or ask for recommendations from local pet stores or reptile enthusiast groups. Remember that prompt veterinary care can make a significant difference in your tortoise’s well-being.
Thanks for the informative article. Our Sulcata tortoise has free range of our enclosed back yard which has a mango tree and he loves his mangoes. Should I immediately remove any fallen ones so that he doesn’t overeat them? Is one per day too much? It would seem that it’s about 10% of his diet. He serves as our lawn mower and keeps the lawn nicely trimmed and I give him lots of lettuce, kale and hibiscus branches with flowers. Do you know if any of that contains calcium and if not, do you have any recommendations for non-dairy foods that do? Thanks again.
It’s wonderful that you’re providing a varied and natural diet for your Sulcata tortoise. Mangoes can be a tasty treat for them, but they should be fed in moderation due to their high sugar content. One mango per day is likely excessive and could lead to weight gain and other health issues over time.
As for calcium, it’s essential for the healthy development and maintenance of your tortoise’s shell. While mangoes, lettuce, and kale are not significant sources of calcium, hibiscus leaves are known to contain some calcium, but the levels can vary. You should continue to offer hibiscus leaves and flowers as part of the diet, but it should not be relied upon as the sole source of calcium.
Here are some recommendations for calcium sources:
Calcium Supplements: Provide a calcium supplement, such as a powdered calcium with vitamin D3. Dust the tortoise’s food with the supplement at least a few times a week.
Leafy Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, and dandelion greens are good sources of calcium and can be offered as part of your tortoise’s diet.
Edible Flowers: Marigolds and pansies are flowers that contain calcium and can be added to the diet.
Cuttlebone: Place a cuttlebone in the tortoise’s enclosure. Many tortoises will gnaw on it for a calcium source.
Balanced Diet: Continue to offer a variety of leafy greens, vegetables, and high-fiber plants, and limit the fruit intake to prevent excess sugars.
Remember that it’s essential to maintain a proper balance in your tortoise’s diet, with a focus on fiber-rich, calcium-containing foods. This will help support your Sulcata tortoise’s overall health and well-being. Consult with a reptile veterinarian for personalized dietary recommendations and health check-ups for your tortoise.