What Kind Of Worms Do Box Turtles Eat?

Box turtles are long-living pets that can accompany you for decades. However, this depends on how well you take care of their complex needs.

It is crucial to provide them with a safe environment where they can feel at home and it is equally important to feed them a balanced diet. Since box turtles are omnivores, it may be a good idea to serve them a variety of things over the week which can even include worms. After all, in their natural habitats, these turtles love munching on different types of worms.

Feeding earthworms, mealworms, hornworms, crickets, silkworms, waxworms, red wigglers, butterworms, and red worms to your box turtle is perfectly safe.

In fact, these insects are high on protein and are hence beneficial to the health of your pet. Not only is it okay to feed your box turtle with worms but it is even recommended. After all, it can help your box turtle get all the nutrition it needs to thrive.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding what is safe for box turtles to consume. This article covers all the questions you might have regarding feeding your pet with worms.

Is Feeding Worms To Your Box Turtle Safe?

Feeding worms to your box turtle is more than just safe, it is healthy. Worms are nutrient-dense which makes them a terrific snack to serve to your pet.

Since bottle turtles are omnivorous, they rely on both plants and animals to satisfy their nutritional requirements.

When placed in the wild, these box turtles will feast on worms whenever they can. If you have one as a pet, you can safely feed it worms without stressing out.

While insects might be icky to you, they’re quite appetizing for box turtles. Introducing them to your pet can be a welcome change if you plan to diversify their diet. However, do note that different species of box turtles may prefer different types of worms.

Don’t just jump into diversifying your pet’s diet without proper research. For specific advice regarding your box turtle, you should always consider consulting a veterinarian.

Can I Feed a Young Box Turtle Worms?

If you have a young box turtle, it is highly recommended that you feed them with worms in moderation. Most young box turtles are primarily carnivorous till the age of five.

While this might vary depending on the species of the box turtle, in general, it can be assumed that an immature one can’t subsist mainly on plant sources. In such circumstances, giving your young box turtle worms can be great for their well-being.

Think about it yourself, just like our children need more energy when they’re developing, so do box turtles. It makes complete sense that a carnivorous diet can prove to be more healthy for these young reptiles.

However, as mentioned before, you need to know which types of worms are safe to serve to your young pet. Generally, mealworms and waxworms are safe to serve to the young turtles you deal with.

What Kind of Worms Do Box Turtles Eat?

Worms are a terrific source of protein and iron for reptiles. If you have a pet box turtle, you can safely give them the following worms:

• Earthworms
• Mealworms
• Hornworms
• Silkworms
• Red Wigglers
• Waxworms
• Red Worms
• Butterworms

Feeding too many worms to your turtles can be bad for their health. While your turtles will love to munch on them, don’t let your pet go overboard with eating worms. Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your pet’s safety. Instead of overfeeding them with worms, try to ensure that they have a varied diet. In moderation, worms can be a useful nutritional snack for turtles.

How Often Should You Feed Worms to Box Turtles?

How often you feed worms to your box turtle can depend on the pet’s age and breed. Since worms are a snack, you should avoid giving them to the turtle every day. Instead, try providing your pet box turtle with worms every other week. If your pet is younger than five years, limit yourself to mealworms and waxworms once a month. While these are general guidelines, for the best advice you should consult a veterinarian.

Conclusion

Box turtles can eat earthworms, mealworms, hornworms, crickets, silkworms, waxworms, red wigglers, butterworms, and red worms. Remember the rule of thumb that worms are merely snacks and should not be a staple in your pet’s diet. When served in moderation, worms are a safe snack for box turtles to consume.