Feeding fruits to box turtles is a great way to provide them with essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and D.
Also, many of the fruits listed below are high in water content, which is beneficial for turtles that do not get enough hydration from their diet.
Below is a list of 13 fruits that are safe for box turtles:
1. Bananas
Bananas are a great source of dietary potassium for box turtles and can be fed regularly.
They also provide other important nutrients such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins.
Feeding your box turtle a banana will help keep them healthy and active.
Turtles love bananas because of their sweet taste.
They should only be given as a treat and not fed regularly, due to the high sugar content.
How To Feed:
Peel a banana and place it in front of your box turtle.
If they do not eat it right away, you can also cut up the banana into small pieces.
It is best to give a small piece at a time to avoid overfeeding.
Check out our article on Can box turtles eat bananas. [It includes the right way to feed bananas, how often to feed, benefits, and as well harms of eating bananas for box turtles]
2. Carrots
Carrots are a good source of beta carotene, which the turtle’s body converts to vitamin A.
Vitamin A is important for healthy skin, shell, and eyes.
Box turtles can eat carrots. They are easy to chew and digest.
However, if you feed your turtle too many carrots in a week, it can result in diarrhea.
Carrots also provide a good amount of vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting.
Vitamin K deficiency leads to bleeding problems and nose bleeds. Box turtles can eat carrots as a part of their balanced diet.
They are high in sugar and carbohydrates, which provide energy for the turtle.
Grapes also contain antioxidants, including resveratrol, which helps protect against cell damage.
Box turtles are known to love grapes, so they are a great fruit to provide for them.
Grapes can also benefit box turtles by offering them vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin A, C, E, B-complex (niacin), calcium, iron, and phosphorus.
How To Feed:
Feed grapes to box turtles by placing them in the turtle’s enclosure.
If your turtle does not eat them right away, you can also put grapes in a small bowl of water and let the turtles soak them up that way.
It is best if you avoid seedless grapes and instead give your turtle’s seeded ones; the shells provide fiber, which helps with digestion.
Make sure to remove any uneaten grapes or grape husks from your turtle’s enclosure after feeding them.
This will avoid spoilage and the spread of harmful bacteria in their environment.
Also, read our article on can box turtles eat grapes. There we discussed the right amount of grapes to feed box turtles, benefits, and as well as harms of grapes.
5. Apples
Apples are a great source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants for box turtles.
They can also help to keep their digestive system healthy.
While all fruits are not good for box turtles, apples will also provide them with the fiber they need.
However, it’s important to make sure that there is no pesticide or any other type of toxin on what you feed your turtle.
If possible choose organic and always wash thoroughly before feeding it to your pet.
How To Feed:
Cut the apple into small bite-sized pieces and offer it to your turtle.
Also, make sure to remove the core and seeds as they can be harmful.
6. Oranges
Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C for box turtles and can help with their shell growth.
Box turtles also love the sweetness of oranges, making them a favorite fruit among many box turtle owners.
Feeding your box turtle oranges is a great way to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need.
Just be sure not to give your box turtle the peel, because it could give them intestinal blockage.
How To Feed:
Peel and give your box turtle small segments of the orange.
Always wash and peel oranges before feeding them to your box turtles.
Make sure there aren’t any pesticides on the oranges.
Also, be aware that your box turtle might not like citrus fruits and it could cause stomach upset.
Want to read how often to feed oranges to box turtles? and how many oranges can they eat in a day? Follow this article: Can box turtles eat oranges.
7. Berries
In this section, we included different types of berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Berries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals for your pet turtle.
They also provide a good amount of fiber to help combat obesity in turtles by giving them what they need without all the extra calories!
Blueberries
Blueberries are a healthy choice for box turtles.
They have one of the highest antioxidant contents among fruits.
Also, help protect against cancer, aging effects from free radicals, cardiovascular disease, and more.
In addition to offering many health benefits, blueberries also taste delicious!
How To Feed:
Blueberries are usually not fed to box turtles.
However, if you decide to feed blueberries be sure that they have been washed thoroughly and no pesticides or chemicals were used on them.
Be aware that the skin of a blueberry may constipate your turtle!
Strawberries
Strawberries are relatively safe to feed box turtles.
The only potential harm is that strawberries can leave a sticky residue on the shell of the turtle, but otherwise they’re fine for consumption.
Also, strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Feeding strawberries to a box turtle would be much like what you’d do with other fruits.
You can just lay them on top of the soil and let your turtles come up and eat as they wish, or you can give them one at a time by hand.
Make sure to wash the strawberries beforehand, since you wouldn’t want to give your box turtle any pesticides or chemicals.
Blackberries
Blackberries are a favorite food of box turtles and what they eat most.
Blackberries provide anti-inflammatory benefits, high in antioxidants, improve vision health, and more.
They also contain dietary fiber which is vital to help maintain proper digestive tract functioning and regular bowel movements as well as improve satiety (feeling full after eating).
How To Feed:
Blackberries are one of the many fruits that can be given to your pet box turtle.
Simply place them in front of your turtle and let him or her eat as they please.
Raspberries
Raspberries are safe, healthy, and tasty for box turtles.
Raspberries are also high in Vitamin C which is good to keep them hydrated.
Since turtles can dehydrate easily due to their specific way of absorbing water through breathing patterns.
There are no negative effects when it comes to eating raspberries by turtles!
How To Feed:
Put one raspberry in front of your box turtle every day.
Let them eat at their own pace.
Your turtle may eat it all or let some sit for later!
8. Cherries
Cherries are a great fruit for box turtles to eat.
They are high in Vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which are beneficial for the turtle’s health.
Cherries also contain antioxidants which can help protect the turtle from free radicals.
Feeding your box turtle cherries is a good way to boost their immune system.
How To Feed:
Feed your box turtle a few cherries at a time.
Leave the pit in the cherry, as it is beneficial to the turtle’s health.
Make sure to wash the cherries before feeding them to your turtle.
9. Pineapple
Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C and other nutrients for box turtles.
They can help boost your turtle’s immune system, improve their digestion, and help keep their skin healthy.
Feeding your box turtle pineapples is a great way to give them some added nutrition.
How To Feed:
Feed your box turtle small slices of fresh pineapple.
Avoid giving them too much, as it can cause diarrhea.
10. Kiwi Fruits
Kiwi fruits are a healthy option for box turtles.
Box turtles can eat kiwifruit but should only have it very rarely as the fruit is high in sugar and potassium.
It is also best to remove the skin of the kiwi fruit before feeding because that part contains enzymes that may be harmful or even deadly if eaten.
You should also take care not to overfeed box turtles with kiwi fruit because too much potassium can be harmful to them.
How To Feed:
Make sure the kiwi fruit is peeled.
Cut it into small pieces and make them about one inch in size for baby turtles, two inches long for sub-adult box turtles, and three inches for adult box turtles.
Offer only what can be consumed within 15 minutes or so to avoid spoilage. Replace what has not been eaten after this time.
11. Mango
Mango is a fruit that can be fed to box turtles.
Mango contains fibre, vitamin C, and potassium.
The seeds are also edible for the turtle and contain healthy fats as well as protein.
Mango can be cut into chunks or wedges and fed to the turtle.
The skin should not be eaten due to its tough texture.
It is important that this fruit only be given as a treat because it contains high sugar levels which are bad for turtles.
Especially if they have diabetes or other health conditions related to diet choices.
12. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a delicious and nutritious fruit that box turtles can enjoy.
This fruit is high in Vitamin A, which is important for vision health, and it also contains antioxidants that can help protect the turtle from disease.
Cantaloupe can be fed to box turtles either fresh or frozen.
How To Feed:
Feed your box turtle cantaloupe by cutting it into small pieces and offering it to the turtle in its enclosure.
You can also freeze cantaloupe and give it to the turtle as a frozen treat.
13. Grapefruits
Box turtles can eat grapefruits as a healthy snack, but no more than once or twice per week.
Grapefruit is nutritious and packed with vitamin C which promotes the immune system’s function in fighting against infections, viruses, bacteria, and diseases.
They also contain Vitamin A which is good for eyesight so it’s especially important to include grapefruit in your box turtle’s diet if they’re having trouble seeing.
How To Feed:
Grapefruits can be given to your box turtle whole or in slices.
Take care not to feed too many grapefruit because they are high in sugar, just like oranges.
14. Papaya
The papaya is a sweet fruit that is safe for box turtles to eat.
It is high in vitamin A and C, as well as other nutrients that are beneficial for box turtles.
Papaya can help boost the immune system and improve eye health.
Box turtles will enjoy eating this delicious fruit!
How To Feed:
Slice papaya into small pieces and offer as a snack.
Sprinkle with a calcium supplement before serving.
As part of a balanced diet, papaya is safe for box turtles to eat daily.
All of the fruits on this list are safe for box turtles to eat, and offer various benefits to their health.
Adding fruits to your box turtle’s diet is a great way to ensure they are getting a balanced and nutritional diet.
Fruits Baby Box Turtles Can Eat
When it comes to baby box turtles, what fruits can they eat?
The good news is that there are many different types of fruit that are safe for box turtles to consume.
Some of the most popular fruits that baby box turtles can eat include apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew melon, kiwi fruit, mangos, nectarines, papayas, pineapples, plums, and strawberries.
While feeding baby box turtles you need to be sure to remove any seeds or pits from the fruit before giving it to them.
The benefits of feeding your baby box turtle fruit include providing them with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are necessary for their growth and development.
What Kind Of Fruits Can Box Turtles Eat?
The kind of fruits that box turtles can eat is what people like to find out.
Turtles are reptiles, which means that they do not have teeth and cannot chew food.
Thus, the best way for them to get nutrients from what they eat is through their tongue by licking it or biting into soft foods without chewing (Youtube).
The two main fruits that box turtles can eat are strawberries and blueberries (Reptile Rescuers Inc).
They like the fruits that provide them with Vitamin A.
The main fruit that turtles can get this from is kiwi, but they also need a diet rich in calcium and other vitamins (Reptile Rescuers Inc).
Benefits Of Eating Fruits For Box Turtles
Well, there are many benefits of eating fruits for box turtles.
Just like humans, they need the nutrients and vitamins that these foods provide in order to stay healthy.
Some of the specific benefits include better vision, healthier skin, stronger bones, and a boosted immune system.
Additionally, feeding your box turtle fruit can help keep his or her weight under control.
This is very important, as obesity can lead to a number of health problems for box turtles.
Fruits can also help box turtles in the breeding process.
They may be more interested in mating when they are healthy, so it can help to feed them fruit regularly if you’re trying to breed your turtles.
Fruits also do provide a good source of moisture for box turtles, which is important in the hot summer months when they need to stay hydrated.
Lastly, many box turtles seem to really enjoy eating fruit, so it can be a fun and healthy snack for them.
Any Harmful Effects Of Eating Fruits For Box Turtles?
So, we did cover the benefits of fruits in the previous section. Now, we will discuss the harmful effects of eating fruits for box turtles.
To be very honest, there are no known serious side effects or disadvantages in feeding your pet turtle with fruits.
But since all living beings have different needs and preferences; it may not agree well with some turtle species.
What this means is that their digestive system might not be able to handle the fruits.
This can result in some digestive problems, which might lead to some serious infections later on if left untreated.
So, if you are feeding your turtle with fruits for the first time; it’s better to do so in small quantities.
Also, always be on the lookout for any kind of unusual behavior exhibited by them after eating fruit.
If they start showing signs like vomiting or diarrhea immediately after consuming fruits; stop giving them these foods right away.
To be on the safe side, always consult a reptile vet before feeding your turtles with any type of fruit.
Fruits Not To Feed Box Turtles
There are also some fruits that should never be fed to turtles.
DO NOT FEED Any fruits with seeds (e.g., apples, oranges).
Also, don’t feed your turtle pineapple and bananas!
These contain high amounts of sugar that could eventually lead to obesity for the turtle if eaten in excess – which can sometimes be hard because they are so tasty!
DO NOT FEED Grapes or raisins.
These fruits can contain harmful toxins that can lead to kidney failure in turtles.
AVOID feeding your turtle fruit juices as these are also high in sugar and could cause health problems down the line.
Stick with whole, fresh fruits instead!
Kiwi, avocado, and chocolate are also to be avoided.
These contain substances that could build up in the turtle’s bloodstream over time which can lead to organ failure or even death!
What Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat?
Vegetables are also a great source of nutrients for box turtles.
Some vegetables that are safe to feed a box turtle include:
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Carrots
Peas
Sweet Potatoes
Squash etc.
All these vegetables provide a variety of essential nutrients that are beneficial to the health of a box turtle.
It is best to feed your box turtle a variety of vegetables to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.
Want more knowledge about feeding vegetables to box turtles? Read the article mentioned below.
What Is a Box Turtle’s Favorite Food?
In this section, we will discuss the favorite food of a box turtle.
A popular food for turtles is carrots, which can be given on occasion as an occasional treat in small quantities.
Other favorites include kale, collard greens, and turnip leaves; all three are green leafy vegetables that will need to be boiled before giving them to your pet turtle (turtles cannot digest raw foods).
If you want to feed your turtle fruit, you can give him/her grape or strawberry.
Box turtles are omnivorous, so they eat a variety of foods that include both plants and animals.
Their diet consists mostly of insects such as crickets and worms along with vegetation like dandelions, clover grasses, wild berries, and mushrooms among others.
Some people think that feeding box turtle fruits can be harmful to their health, but as long as it is given in moderation, there shouldn’t be any problems.
What Can Turtles Eat From Human Food?
From human food, turtles can eat a lot of things.
They can eat different types of fruits, vegetables, and even meats.
But what are the best options for them when it comes to human food?
When it comes to fruits, there are many different kinds that box turtles can eat.
Some good fruit choices include apples, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries.
All of these fruits are packed with nutrients that are beneficial to box turtles. They provide them with important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help keep them healthy.
Humans also prefer to eat vegetables, and so do box turtles.
Vegetables are a great choice for providing turtles with the fiber that they need to stay healthy, as well as antioxidants and minerals.
Popular vegetables include carrots, kale, spinach, turnips, squash of all varieties, broccoli rabe (rapini), collard greens or other types of leafy greens, and sweet potatoes.
Vegetables provide an important balance to a turtle’s diet and should make up about half of their food.
When it comes to protein, box turtles can eat different types of meats.
While meat is not necessary for their health, it can be a good source of nutrients if it is fed in moderation.
Some good options for meat include cooked chicken, turkey, beef, and fish.
Again, these should only be fed occasionally as part of a balanced diet.
So, these were some of the best foods that turtles can eat from human food.
What Can You Not Feed a Box Turtle?
So, in all the previous sections, you have learned about the fruits, vegetables, and human food to feed your box turtles.
Now let us talk about the items that you should not feed your box turtles.
Do not give them raw meat as it can cause health problems for them.
This includes both cooked and uncooked meats, including hot dogs.
Also avoid feeding them processed foods like chips or cookies, as well as salty snacks like pretzels.
Do not give them dairy products like milk, cheese, or ice cream.
Box turtles are also lactose intolerant and will have trouble digesting these items.
Do not give them carbonated drinks like soda or beer as the bubbles can cause stomach problems.
And finally, do not give them anything with artificial sweeteners in it like diet sodas, as these can also cause stomach problems.
Also, make sure to avoid giving them poisonous plants like ivy, philodendron, and lilies.
While most fruits and vegetables are safe for box turtles to eat, there are a few that you should avoid feeding them.
These include bananas, grapes, citrus fruits, and raw potatoes.
So make sure to do your research before giving your box turtles any new food items.
Conclusion
In conclusion, box turtles can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
While some fruits are better than others, all of the options listed above provide essential nutrients that help keep your turtle healthy.
The fruits you can safely feed box turtles are apples, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, honeydew melon, kiwi fruit, mangos, nectarines, oranges, peaches, and strawberries.
As always when introducing new food to your turtle’s diet, start with small quantities and slowly increase the amount over time.
To make sure your turtle does not experience any adverse effects.
When feeding your turtle fruit, be sure to monitor their weight and adjust their diet as necessary.
Too much fruit can lead to obesity, so it’s important to strike a balance.
Let us know do you feed any of the fruits listed above OR any fruit you want us to add to the list? Comment down below!
