Water Turtles
Feeding Information
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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".
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