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What should I feed my turtle? Best diet, insects, and greens for young turtles?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can you give me a detailed diet for my turtle I’m just not sure what insect and/or greens to give to him/her. He/she is about a year old, I think. If you know how to tell genders early on could you tell me how? Also if you know how to tell age, he is about 3 and a half inches.Thank you so much for your time.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on April 19th, 2019

Thanks for reaching out about Zero. The specific species will determine much, but has not been provided. Most aquatic turtles are predominantly carnivorous and will eat a wide variety of insects but should also have nutritional exposure to small fish (for calcium). The will occasionally graze off aquatic lettuces so offering a chopped variety of vegetables could be beneficial. Some aquatic turtles can be sexed by long front fingernails but this is usually later in life. Size is dependent on multiple factors such as nutrition, genetics and other things. Good luck.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    If you can provide images or the species, more specific information can be provided. In general, you can offer feeder fish, nightcrawlers, krill, shrimp or bits of beef heart (raw). Dark, leafy greens can be finely chopped and offered. A wide iceberg lettuce or celery as they don't provide much nutrition. About 25% of the diet can consist of a commercial pelleted diet. Zero may be too young to determine gender definitively. Again, knowing the species may make this determination easier.

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