Can turtles eat fruit? Yes, turtles can eat fruit. Many fruits are safe and healthy to feed your turtle. In addition, there are some fruits that you must avoid feeding your turtle.

In general, turtles are frugivores – the species adapted to eat fruits are called frugivores. Not only do they eat fruits, but they also enjoy the taste of fruits.

Adding fruit to your turtle’s diet is a good decision. But it is not as simple as it seems. You need to know which fruits are safe to feed your turtle and which are not.

For that purpose, we are here to help you. You can find everything you need to know about the feeding behavior of turtles, and can turtles eat fruit?

While feeding fruits to your turtle, it is important to know how many fruits you can add to your turtle’s diet and how you should offer them to your cute little turtle. Read on to learn about the different aspects of feeding fruits to turtles.

The Positive Effects of Fruits for Turtles

As now you know the answer to the question Can turtles eat fruit? You might think of what benefits do turtles get from eating fruits? The positive effect of fruits is the large amounts of vitamins they possess.

Fruits are rich in vitamins, and your turtle needs them a lot. Vitamins are the essential part of nutrients our body needs to maintain normal metabolism.

Vitamins serve as the co-factor for different enzymes in the body. It means that a lack of vitamins can develop many health issues.

Each fruit has a different amount of vitamins and other essential nutrients. So each fruit will impart different beneficial effects. Here I will discuss the general benefits of vitamins present in most fruits.

Vitamin A

It plays a significant role in maintaining your turtle’s skin. It keeps the texture of your turtle’s skin safe.

Due to a deficiency of vitamin A, your turtle may experience excessive shedding of skin. It makes your turtle vulnerable to several infectious diseases. Vitamin A is also responsible for vision and reproductive functions.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B comes in many different forms. Generally, vitamin B is responsible for maintaining the energy balance in the body.

Enough vitamin B in the body keeps your turtle energetic all day. Vitamin B is profound in berries. If your turtle feels tired, you can offer him a few berries.

Vitamin C

It plays the most important role in maintaining the normal strength of bones. Bone strength has prime importance for your turtle.

Since the entire body of the turtle is covered with a shell, turtles need to protect their strength for survival. Therefore, your turtle’s prime needs are vitamin C and other essential nutrients.

Little or no fat

Fruits are not rich in fats which means that eating fruits don’t impose the risks of heart diseases. Besides this, there are many other beneficial effects of fruits. You can find the benefit of all the fruits separately on our website.

How Often Should You Feed Fruits to Your Turtle?

Fruits should not exceed 10-20% of daily meals in general. Among the fruits, some are very nutritious while some are not.

Such fruits that are not nutritious should be allowed to replace the daily meal of your turtle. You can add such fruits as a snack, but they should not be added to the main diet.

You should not feed fruits to your turtle more often. Besides many benefits, they pose a threat when fed in excess. Turtles need a good 2:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorous in the body.

Fruits are mostly high in phosphorous; therefore, excess fruit may add up in phosphorous in the body and disturb the ratio. Fruits don’t contain much calcium, making it difficult for a turtle to make up the ratio.

Fruits That You Should Avoid

Many fruits are ok to feed your turtle; however, you should feed an excess of those fruits that contain high phosphorous content.

 At the same time, the other fruits that you need to avoid are citruses. Excess citric acid can upset your turtle’s stomach. For your ease, we have enlisted fruits that contain high phosphorous.

• Guava
• Avocado
• Banana
• Raisin
• Date
• Coconut
• Prune
• Pomegranate
• Cantaloupe
• Kiwi
• Apricot
• Peach
• Mulberry
• Honeydew
• Nectarine

Can turtles eat fruit? Should you feed fruits to your turtle?

Can turtles eat fruit? Yes, you should feed fruits to your turtle. Your turtle needs vitamins and minerals, and fruits are rich sources of vitamins and minerals.

You can mix fruits and vegetables and feed your turtle. The nutritional profile will be improved, and your turtle will enjoy the taste too.