Couple questions

Vengeance · 02-21-04, 09:40 AM

I have a Black Breasted leaf turtle who I rescued from my Parents. He has a mild case of shell rot but is recovering nicely. He eats like a horse now and loves his worms. So far what I've been feeding him is Canadian nightcrawlers, bannanas, watermelon, apples, and grapes. I'm trying to introduce letuce and some veggies in his diet but so far he hasn't shown much interest in them.

My questions are this, should I have to calcium suplment with this diet? I've heard nightcrawlers are a great source of calcium and he just loves to eat those things up. I've been making them a regular staple in his diet.

The other question is that I keep him on sphagnum moss, and he has the tendancy to eat some when he is strugling with the nightcrawler. Should I be concerned about him ingesting it? I remeber the vet I took him too mentioned that it won't hurt him just wanted to get some other opnions on the subject.

latazyo · 02-21-04, 11:06 AM

I"m not sure about your particular species of turtle, but for my tortoise and RES, fruits are not recommended to be a regular part of the diet, due to high amounts of suger, I would attempt vegetables instead of fruits, maybe fruits for teh occasional snack

claycoke11 · 02-21-04, 11:18 AM

Never feed a turtle lettuce as it has no nutritional value stick to bananas, apples, ect.

Dani33 · 02-21-04, 11:25 AM

From this care sheet, it recommends calcium dusting.
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Gspenglericare.htm
I would be careful with the banana, I just remeber reading that it is high in phosphorus which hinders calcium absorption(binds calcium). I'm not sure about yours, but most require UV. I personally supplement calcium with D3 every other day or third day. I also supplement w/ a vitamin once a week. In the summer, he'll have time outside, so I will get a calcium supplement w/out D3 than. We get D3 from UV. My guy really liked squash, mango and cantelope, maybe try these as well. Unfortunately, my new little guy only likes greens for now. Not really interested in the fruit.

Latazyo, there are turtles and toirtoises that have a need for fruit: ie, Red Foots, CA Ornate woods etc.

Turtle Matt · 02-22-04, 01:53 AM

Hey..Definately use a calcium/vitamin supplement...These turtles have a similar diet to american box turtles, and should comsume lots of fruit..It likely won't touch vegetables if you put them in there. Also, don't feed too much banana, it gives them diarhea. As I believe I mentioned before, they like dim lighting as they are noctournal(I believe) so I wouldn't reccomend a very strong UV light..No offense to anyone, but be careful who you take advice from if you want a healthy turtle.. Also, small amounts of moss shouldn't harm him.
Matt

Vengeance · 02-22-04, 10:39 PM

ahhhhhhhh, thanks Guys that explains allot. Yeah I've done my reading and they don't like high temps, I have the light more for a day and night schedule because I'm in a basment apt and the cage is nowhere near a window. The bannana thing explains allot, he has been having diarhea recently, I just attributed it too the fact he is getting used to a new diet. He was beeing fed on turtle pelets for the last 5 years or so only. But his is getting what he needs now. I guess for calcium suplment I'll dust the worms before I fed them. Since he loves his worms I think I'll have an easier time getting him to eat the supplment that way then dusting his fruit.

Now you said I shoudl also be vitamin suplmenting as well?

These are the two products I'm going to pick up tommorow...

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1077506677663

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1077506677685

Would these meet the needs for this little guy?