What Do Baby Red Eared Slider Turtles Eat?

November 23, 2023 by Marjorie R. Rogers, MA (English), Certified Consultant

Red eared slider turtles are one of the most popular pets in the United States. They’re small, relatively easy to care for, and make great companions. One of the most important things you need to know about caring for a red eared slider turtle is what to feed them.

Most baby red eared slider turtles are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates. They’ll also eat aquatic plants, algae, and carrion (dead animals).

As they get older, their diet will change and they’ll start eating more fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

As baby red eared slider turtles grow, they will eventually graduate to an adult diet of live prey including crayfish, fish, and insects. However, during their first few months of life they require a diet that is higher in protein to help them grow. This can be accomplished by feeding them a variety of commercially available turtle pellets as well as live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and earthworms.

It is important to offer your baby turtle a variety of foods so that they get the nutrients they need to grow into healthy adults.

Baby Red Eared Slider Turtle Habitat

Assuming you would like a blog post discussing the natural habitat of the red-eared slider turtle: The red-eared slider turtle is a freshwater turtle native to the southeastern United States. It gets its name from the characteristic red stripe behind each ear.

They are semi-aquatic turtles, meaning they spend time both in water and on land. In the wild, they can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps. Red-eared slider turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

Their diet consists of insects, fish, frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, and aquatic plants. They are opportunistic feeders and will also eat carrion (dead animals). In captivity (i.e., as pets), red-eared slider turtles need a habitat that replicates their natural environment as much as possible.

This includes a large tank with both a water area and a dry area for basking; an appropriate filtration system for the size of the tank; hiding places such as rocks or logs; and plenty of food options including live prey items (if desired by the owner).

Credit: www.turtleholic.com

How Do You Feed a Red Eared Baby Turtle?

Assuming you mean a red-eared slider turtle, here is how to feed them: Red-eared slider turtles are omnivores, so their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. In the wild, they eat a variety of things like aquatic plants, small fish, tadpoles, snails, and insects.

You can replicate their natural diet by feeding them a mix of pellets, vegetables, and live food. Pellets should make up the majority of their diet and can be bought at most pet stores. Look for a brand that contains high levels of calcium as this is essential for shell growth.

Vegetables like dark leafy greens (kale, spinach), carrots, squash, and green beans are all good choices and should be offered daily. Live food can be given a few times a week and can consist of small fish or insects like crickets or mealworms. It’s important to remember that turtles are cold blooded so their metabolism is directly affected by the temperature of their environment.

In order to properly digest their food , they need an air temperature between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit with the water temperature being slightly cooler at 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too low , they will not have the energy to eat .

Can Baby Red-Eared Sliders Eat Lettuce?

Yes, baby red-eared sliders can eat lettuce. Lettuce is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. It’s important to chop the lettuce into small pieces so that your baby slider can easily eat it.

You can also mix the lettuce with other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to create a healthy and balanced diet for your pet.

What is a Red-Eared Slider Favorite Food?

A red-eared slider’s favorite food is aquatic plants. They are also known to eat small fish, crustaceans, and insects.

How Long Can a Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtle Go Without Eating?

Assuming you’re referring to a baby red-eared slider turtle that is still in the wild and has not been domesticated, it’s difficult to give a definitive answer since there are so many variables at play. For example, the weather can play a role in how much food is available to the turtle. If it’s been a particularly cold winter and there aren’t many insects or other small animals around for the turtle to eat, it may not be able to find enough food and could starve.

That said, if there is food available, a baby red-eared slider turtle can probably go several months without eating. These turtles are capable of storing body fat, so they can use this as energy when food is scarce. However, if a baby turtle goes too long without eating, it will begin to lose weight and eventually die.

So while there isn’t really a set answer for how long a baby red-eared slider turtle can go without eating, it’s important to make sure that these turtles have access to plenty of food so they can stay healthy and thrive.

Basic Baby Red Eared Slider Turtle Care 2020 || Baby Turtle Care

Conclusion

Red-eared slider turtles are a popular pet, and their diet is an important part of their care. In the wild, these turtles eat a variety of aquatic plants and animals, including snails, worms, and insects. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of pellets or freeze-dried foods, as well as live food such as crickets or worms.

It is important to offer a variety of foods to ensure that your turtle gets the nutrients it needs.