Can box turtles eat oranges? The answer is yes, but can they eat them all the time? Well, this can depend on a number of factors. One thing to consider is if their diet includes other food sources too.
If it doesn’t, then you can feed your turtle oranges as treats or snacks in between meals. However, if they are getting enough food through their diet then you should not provide oranges for them at all.
With that being said, there are many benefits to feeding your turtle an orange now and again! Find out more by reading this article!
In case you are in hurry and don’t have time to read the complete article. I have an on-point answer for you.
Can box turtles eat oranges? Yes, box turtles can eat oranges. Believe it or not, box turtles love oranges – they’re easy to peel and chew! So you can’t go wrong by providing your pet with this sweet fruit. Just note that the acids in an orange might be acidic enough that they could cause minor discomfort for your turtle’s digestive tract, so don’t give one that is too large – only about the size of a plum would do on occasion.
Contents
- Can Box Turtles Eat Oranges?
- Can Normal Turtles Eat Oranges?
- Benefits Of Eating Oranges For Box Turtles?
- Harmful Effects Of Eating Oranges For Box Turtles
- Can Box Turtles Eat Orange Seed?
- Can Box Turtles Eat Orange Peels?
- How To Feed Oranges To Box Turtles?
- How Often To Feed Oranges To Box Turtles?
- Other Fruits To Feed Box Turtles
- What Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat?
- What Can Box Turtles Not Eat?
- Conclusion
Can Box Turtles Eat Oranges?
Orange is the perfect food for box turtles. They can eat it in its whole form and can also use the seed found inside to grow new orange trees.
However, there are some things you should know about feeding your pet oranges as well as things that can happen if you feed them too much of this fruit.
Box turtles are omnivores which means that they can consume both meat and plant matter.
This is the reason why their diet should be composed mainly of veggies but there are some fruits, like oranges, which they can also enjoy.
Also read: Why tomatoes are toxic for box turtles? Know the reasons!
Can Baby Box Turtles Eat Oranges?
Yes, most young box turtles can easily digest orange slices or fruit pieces without any problems.
However, some may refuse to eat them because the orange’s taste is too strong for their sensitive tongue at that age.
This usually changes in a few weeks. Make sure to only give your baby box turtle small pieces of fresh orange fruit, as this can cause an upset stomach if too much is eaten at once.
Best for you: Box turtles complete diet and feeding guide!
Can Normal Turtles Eat Oranges?
Normal turtles can eat oranges, but they can also eat other things like carrots and leafy greens.
Oranges can be very healthy for turtles. They can eat orange seed but not the peel and may choose to only bite on it or spit it out immediately after tasting its bitter flavor.
It can be difficult to feed oranges to box turtles because the peels are tough and can’t easily be digested.
Do you know? box turtles love watermelon! Know the reason here.
Benefits Of Eating Oranges For Box Turtles?
There can be many benefits of eating oranges for box turtles.
One can expect their turtle to eat more and grow properly with orange as a part of the diet.
It can help them fight infections and stay healthy, and can also increase their appetite.
Orange can provide its high nutritional value to your pet turtle’s well-nourished body, which can result in its good growth.
While it can also help your box turtle fight against fungal infections due to its antifungal properties, can lower the risk of infection from IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) virus carriers by prevention of replication of the virus.
It can also provide your pet with Vitamin A which can be beneficial for your turtle’s eyesight and can help them fight against upper respiratory tract infections like RW (Red-Eye) since turtles can’t make their own Vitamin A, they have to depend on it from outside.
It can also help female box turtles produce eggs that are more fertile with a higher hatch rate.
These were some of the benefits of eating oranges for box turtles.
Recommended article: Learn 5 different ways to feed celery to box turtles!
Harmful Effects Of Eating Oranges For Box Turtles
Although oranges can be a healthy fruit to add to the diet of your box turtle, they can also contain some harmful chemicals.
One can notice a condition known as “bumpy shell syndrome” on their pet box turtle if an excessive amount of oranges are being given. The bumpy shell can cause pain and can also lead to pathological conditions such as hypertension.
It can help them fight infections and stay healthy, and can also increase their appetite.
Box turtles can eat oranges but they should be given in a very small amount.
Side effects of eating too many oranges can include:
– Elevated blood pressure
– Kidney stones
– Can cause liver damage if eaten in a large amount.
Oranges can contain a chemical that can kill your turtle, so it is better to feed them oranges once or twice a week, as an occasional treat.
Also, read: Can box turtles eat oranges? How to feed them?
Can Box Turtles Eat Orange Seed?
Orange seed can be harmful to box turtles. According to the Reptiles Magazine website, oranges can cause diarrhea in box turtles if the seed is consumed.
If you’re feeding your turtle orange slices or segments with seeds intact, remove all of the seeds before giving them any fruits to eat.
If you can’t get rid of the seeds, don’t feed them oranges or any other citrus fruits.
Know this first: Things to know before feeding grapes to turtles? HARMFUL!!
Can Box Turtles Eat Orange Peels?
Oranges peels can be harmful to box turtles if they try to eat them.
The peels can cause mouth and throat irritation, making it difficult for the turtle to breathe and can lead to choking or asphyxiation.
Box turtles can eat small pieces of orange peel, but it can also cause mouth irritation.
If the turtle tries to swallow bigger chunks of the orange peels, then there is a high chance that they can choke or get intestinal obstruction which can lead to death if not treated immediately.
Learn this: How oranges can benefit turtles? Do they have any harm?
How To Feed Oranges To Box Turtles?
The right way to feed oranges to box turtles are:
Do not feed seed. It can cause diarrhea and can be a choking hazard for box turtles to eat the seeds.
Feeding oranges with no rind is okay but can also cause diarrhea if fed too often or in large amounts.
You can remove the skin or pith before feeding them, as it contains an acid that can cause stomach upset.
Feeding the orange with peeled-off rind is okay, but can be more of a choking hazard for box turtles to eat it whole or in large pieces so you can slice them into small pieces before feeding your turtle.
You can feed oranges one to three times per week depending on how big the size of the turtle is.
For smaller box turtles can be fed small pieces of oranges up to three times per week and for larger ones can only eat one orange once or twice a month, if not less depending on its size.
Recommended article: How to feed blueberries to turtles? Are they safe?
How Often To Feed Oranges To Box Turtles?
Oranges can be a nutritious, healthy snack for box turtles.
However, if the orange is not ripe or only slightly ripe it can cause stomach issues and gas in your turtle resulting in bloating, discomfort, and even death by asphyxiation from the build-up of gases inside their body cavity.
It’s better to give oranges on an occasional basis and not as a staple food item.
Also, it’s best to feed your turtles oranges in moderation and only if they can successfully digest them without any discomfort or problems.
Also, read: Can turtles eat lettuce? Know its benefits as well as harms!
Other Fruits To Feed Box Turtles
The other fruits you can feed your box turtles are:
- Peaches
- Pears
- Berries (Blueberries, Blackberries)
- Apples
- Grapes
- Pineapples
- Plums
These fruits are healthy for your box turtle and can be given as treats.
Read this next: How can grapes be the best fruit for turtles!
What Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat?
Vegetables are the second most important part of a box turtle’s diet. Box turtles can eat nearly all varieties of raw or cooked vegetables.
The best kind to feed would be dark leafy greens such as kale, dandelion leaves, and small bits of carrots.
Other vegetables can include:
- Squash,
- Zucchini,
- Cucumber and
- Bell peppers
What Can Box Turtles Not Eat?
Box turtles can be picky eaters but can live long lives on a healthy diet.
When it comes to what not to feed box turtle’s there are many things that can cause health issues even death in some cases.
Some of these foods include avocado, eggplant, alcohol, chocolate candy, or anything made with cocoa beans which can cause cardiac failure.
Many people think that turtles can eat anything they can catch, but there are many things you can feed them instead of bugs.
Some insects have the ability to kill your turtle if eaten so it is best to stick with worms or mealworms as a protein source and not give live ones at all.
If you do want to try to catch bugs for your turtle you can try to find worms that are not harmful to turtles.
Some other things people feed their box turtles that can be dangerous include: dog or cat food, dairy products, junk foods like chips and candy bars as well as coffee beans which can all cause health issues.
It is best to stick with healthy vegetables for your turtle’s diet.
Read my friend’s article: Can box turtles eat oranges?
Conclusion
Oranges are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be a wonderful addition to your turtle’s diet.
Benefits of eating oranges for box turtles: Oranges are very nutritious and provide an array of health benefits.
They can help with weight gain or loss, boost the immune system and protect against cancer (This also applies to box turtles).
Also, oranges can provide Vitamin C which can help with the absorption of Iron.
Harmful effects of eating oranges for box turtles: Oranges can cause some problems, however.
If a turtle consumes too many oranges at once it can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea.
This can be prevented by feeding the fruit in moderation or separated from other food items within one meal. (This also applies to box turtles).
Additionally, the peels can be toxic to turtles.
Other fruits can box turtle eat: Other healthy fruits that are safe for turtles include apples, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries.
These can all provide Vitamin C as well as other nutrients your pet may need on a daily basis.
Do you have box turtles as pets in your home? What do you feed them? Let us know in the comment section below!