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Part of the fun of owning a pet turtle is watching everything they can chow down on. But just because turtles are enthusiastic eaters doesn’t mean you should put anything and everything in front of them.
The good news is that if you want to feed them some mango, you absolutely can, as long as you don’t give them too much. It’s a great part of a balanced diet, but it’s easy to overdo it. But if you have a little extra mango, there’s no reason you can’t feed it to your pet turtle.
Can Turtles Eat Mango?
Yes! Mangoes are a sweet treat that most turtles will love to snack on, but only feed your turtle ripe mango. Moreover, while turtles love the taste of mango and it’s nutritionally good for them, you need to ensure you only feed them mangoes in moderation, because they are also high in sugar.
Since turtles prefer the taste of fruit, they can start to become picky if they always have fresh fruit to eat. This is a problem since fruits are less nutritious than vegetables, higher in sugar, and they don’t meet all of a pet turtle’s dietary needs.
Other Safe Foods for Turtles
In smaller quantities and as a part of a balanced diet, mangoes are perfectly safe to feed turtles. But if you’re looking for some other food options for your turtle, we’ve highlighted five other options for you to consider here:
Turtle Pellets
With complicated dietary needs, it can be quite challenging to try and meet all their dietary requirements through a balanced diet. Turtle pellets help with this, giving your turtle all the necessary nutrients. You’ll still want to supplement the pellets with other foods, but the pellets help ensure your turtle gets everything they need.
Feeder Fish
When selecting feeder fish for your pet turtle to eat, only get small fish from a reputable pet store that’s specifically stocking them as food. They make a great treat for your turtle, but don’t overdo it (even though it’s super fun watching them zoom around after the fish!). It’s also a good idea to have a tank at home for quarantining feeder fish for a week or two, to make sure they aren’t carrying any infections or parasites.
Kale
Turtles need vegetables with tons of nutrients as a part of their diet, and when it comes to leafy greens, the darker, the better. Kale is one of the darkest leafy vegetables out there, and because of this, it’s an excellent option for your turtle. It’s lower in oxalates than spinach too, so it’s the better choice between the two. Thoroughly wash the vegetable first and find the darkest parts of the kale to feed your turtle for the most health benefits.
Raspberries
If you’re looking to give your turtle something a bit sweet now and again, raspberries are a great choice. Although still high in sugar, they have a much lower amount than many other fruits, including mango.
Cooked Chicken
While wild turtles don’t have access to cooked chicken to eat, that doesn’t mean you can’t feed it to your pet. Always cook the chicken completely first, and don’t add any additional seasonings. Even then, ensure you only feed your turtle in limited quantities as an occasional treat.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Turtles
While there are tons of foods that are safe to feed to your pet turtle, that doesn’t mean you can feed them everything you have in your pantry. We’ve highlighted four different foods you should never feed your pet turtle below.
Raw Meat
While completely cooked meats are fine for your pet turtle, you shouldn’t feed them raw meat. Your pet turtle will likely eat it, but raw meats often contain bacteria and other harmful things that could easily end up harming them.
Avocado
While most fruits and veggies are great for turtles, avocados are a notable exception. Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to most animals, and it’s high in fats. It’s an all-around lose-lose for your turtle, so save your avocado for your next piece of toast.
Processed Foods
Turtles should only eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Chocolates, candies, and any other processed foods you might have in your home should stay far away from your turtle. Not only is there no nutritional benefit, but many processed foods are toxic for turtles.
Citrus fruits
Oranges can be okay in very small quantities, but lemons, limes, mandarins and pomelos contain too much citric acid that can cause stomach upsets and diarrhea.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re cleaning out your fridge, take a hard look at any extra fruits and veggies you might have. Whether it’s strawberries, mangos, or something else entirely, there’s a good chance you can feed it to your turtle before it goes bad.
Of course, you should always do your research before feeding it to your turtle, and you should always err on the side of caution if you don’t know if your turtle can eat it!
Featured Image Credit: toodlingstudio, Pixabay
