For box turtle owners, knowing what to feed your pet is crucial for keeping them healthy and happy. While box turtles are omnivores that can eat a wide variety of foods, there are also many common foods that should be avoided.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Box turtles cannot safely eat avocados, dairy products, citrus fruits, onions, chocolate, raw meat/eggs, or anything with pesticides/herbicides on it.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover in detail the foods that box turtles cannot eat, why they should be avoided, and provide better alternative options to feed your turtle.
Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid
Avocados
Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that can be poisonous to turtles. Persin causes damage to the heart, lungs, and liver in high concentrations. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, as little as 50-75 grams of avocado can be toxic to a turtle.
It’s best to completely avoid feeding avocado to box turtles.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are too acidic for box turtles to digest properly. The high acidity can lead to mouth sores, intestinal irritation, and other digestive issues.
An occasional nibble of citrus likely won’t harm a turtle, but it’s best to avoid offering citrus fruits regularly.
According to the Reptiles Magazine box turtle care guide, some safe fruits to offer instead include apples, berries, cantaloupe, figs, grapes, mangos, papayas, peaches, and pears. These fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals turtles need without the high acidity threat.
It’s best to feed fruits only sparingly, about once a week, since box turtles naturally eat more veggies, plants, and insects.
Onions and Garlic
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives contain potentially toxic compounds called N-propyl disulfides that can cause oxidative damage to a turtle’s red blood cells, leading to a life-threatening type of anemia called Heinz body anemia.
According to the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, all forms of onion should be avoided for turtles, including dehydrated, raw, cooked, powdered, or frozen onions, wild onions, and table scraps containing onions.
Garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives pose similar toxicity risks and should also be avoided.
Onion toxicity usually occurs after repeated exposure over time. But it’s best not to take any chances by allowing your box turtle access to any foods containing onions or related allium species vegetables.
Some safe allium vegetable alternatives include bell peppers, carrots, parsley, spinach, sweet potatoes, and zucchini.
Dairy and Other Animal Products to Avoid
Milk and Other Dairy
Box turtles should not be given milk or any dairy products like cheese, yogurt, butter or ice cream. Their digestive systems lack the enzyme lactase which is needed to properly break down lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in milk.
Consuming dairy can lead to diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress and other related problems in box turtles.
Some key reasons to avoid feeding dairy products to box turtles include:
Raw Meat and Eggs
Raw or undercooked meat and eggs pose a significant risk of introducing salmonella or other bacteria that can make box turtles extremely sick. Their digestive systems did not evolve to handle these types of animal products safely.
While some turtles can tolerate small amounts of cooked lean meat sparingly as an occasional treat, raw or spoiled meat and eggs should never be fed to box turtles. Some key health dangers include:
It is also important not to leave decaying raw meat and eggs near their habitats, as the fumes and released gases alone can irritate their respiratory systems.
Chocolate
All chocolate products such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder should be kept far away from box turtles. Chocolate contains the chemicals theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic for reptiles.
According to veterinarian Dr. Laurie Hess (source): “These stimulants can cause deadly heart arrhythmias, seizures, and central nervous system disorders in reptiles.” Even just a tiny amount can be lethal depending on the turtle’s size.
| Small hatchling box turtle | Death from only 0.1 oz of milk chocolate |
| Juvenile box turtle | Dangerous toxicity from 0.5 oz |
| Adult box turtle | Potentially lethal dose at 1 oz |
For the safety of box turtle pets, it is imperative to keep all chocolate and cocoa items completely out of their environment.
Other Foods and Substances to Avoid
Salty or Sugary Foods
Box turtles have specific dietary requirements that do not include high amounts of salt or sugar. Offering salty or sugary foods can be quite detrimental to their health.
Salt can cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and kidney problems in box turtles. Their bodies are not designed to process high amounts of sodium. Even small amounts of salty foods, like potato chips, pretzels, or salted nuts, can negatively impact box turtles.
Excessive sugar can also wreak havoc on a box turtle’s system. It can lead to obesity, liver disease, calcium deficiencies, and other issues. Sugary foods like candy, chocolate, and sweets should be avoided.
Some key foods to keep away from box turtles include: cured meats, cheese, sweets, fried foods, chips, pretzels, salted nuts, and sugary fruits like mangos or grapes. Offering any of these unhealthy options can shorten a box turtle’s lifespan and lead to medical complications.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Another substance group to avoid giving box turtles is pesticides and herbicides. Many box turtles enjoy grazing on grass, plants, and weeds. However, if these have been treated with chemicals, it can be incredibly toxic to turtles.
According to the Veterinary Partner, common pesticides like organophosphates and carbamates can be lethal even in small amounts. Others like pyrethroids may take longer to cause illness but are still extremely dangerous.
Herbicides like glyphosate are also highly toxic. Exposure can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, lethargy, and even death in many turtle species, including box turtles.
To keep box turtles safe, it’s crucial to prevent them from ingesting plants, grass or insects that may have touched toxic chemicals. Only offering pesticide/herbicide-free options from a backyard or organic grower can ensure safety.
Safe Alternatives for Box Turtles
When it comes to feeding pet box turtles, there are many nutritious options that are safe for them to eat. Here are some of the top alternatives to provide a balanced diet.
Leafy Greens and Vegetables
Box turtles can thrive on a variety of leafy greens and veggies. Some great choices include:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Turnip greens
- Green beans
- Zucchini
- Squash
These items are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. It’s ideal to offer 2-3 different veggies at each feeding to give turtles a diverse nutrient profile. Wash produce thoroughly before serving.
Some Fruits
In moderation, certain fruits can also be healthy treats. Select options like:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Melon
- Mango
- Papaya
Fruits should compose no more than 10-20% of a box turtle’s overall diet. Too much natural sugar can cause digestive issues. Always chop fruit into bite-sized pieces before feeding.
Cooked Lean Meats
Though mostly herbivorous, box turtles enjoy insects, worms and occasional meat in the wild. Lean cooked chicken, turkey or beef provide added protein. Ensure meats have no seasonings, salt or oil. Tiny portions a couple times a month is sufficient.
Commercial Turtle Food
Specially formulated commercial diets offer balanced nutrition for captive box turtles. Top-rated brands to try include: Mazuri, ZooMed and Fluker’s. Pick formulas made for aquatic or semi-aquatic turtles, not solely land turtles.
| Brand | Formula | Primary Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Mazuri | Aquatic Turtle Diet | Fish meal, ground corn, fish oil |
| ZooMed | Natural Aquatic Turtle Food | Fish meal, wheat flour, shrimp meal |
| Fluker’s | Aquatic Turtle Diet | Fish meal, wheat middlings, fish oil |
The above commercial diets contain optimal nutritional balance. It’s still wise to supplement with some fresh greens, veggies and fruits as well.
By offering box turtles a diverse combination of healthy natural foods and quality commercial diets, pet owners can help ensure proper growth and wellbeing.
Conclusion
In summary, being aware of what box turtles cannot eat is important for their health and wellbeing. While they are omnivorous, there are certain foods like avocados, dairy, citrus, onions, chocolate, and pesticide-laden produce that should always be avoided.
Focus on providing your box turtle a balanced diet with leafy greens, some fruits, cooked lean meats, and a quality commercial turtle food. With proper nutrition and care, your box turtle can live a long and healthy life.
