Water Turtles Basic Feeding

As with most of the reptiles commonly kept as pets, malnutrition associated with poor hygiene and sanitation is the leading cause of illness among captive water turtles. Water turtles are, for the most part, carnivorous (meat eaters). Malnutrition results when these pets are fed primarily a vegetarian diet or inadequate sources of animal protein.

Water turtles must feed within the water, and in so doing, the most important part of their artificial environment becomes easily fouled. This contamination is greatly exaggerated by the relatively small amount of water usually provided for captive water turtles as compared with the almost unlimited aquatic habitat enjoyed by wild water turtles.

As previously mentioned, captive water turtles should be fed in an environment separate from their living environment in an effort to control contamination. This is especially necessary in feeding water turtles that prey on live food and tear at it, creating particulate waste. However, species that gulp and swallow prey items whole ("Snapping Turtle, Mata Mata) are usually allowed to feed in their artificial aquatic habitats because they are generally considered "clean feeders".