Do Turtles Eat Worms: Their Nutritional Advantage

Turtles feed on a variety of plant and animal-based food types. However, pet owners must understand exactly what foods they can eat to avoid offering them unhealthy food options.

Turtles can eat worms, which are among the food options that provide them with proteins in the wild. They feed on various worm types, including mealworms, earthworms, grubs, hornworms, and silkworms. Besides the proteins, worms are also a good source of fiber and water these reptiles need.

The article contains all the information you need to understand worms as part of the turtle’s diet. Read on to learn which worms they eat and their nutritional advantages.

Turtles Dietary Habits

With over 300 species of turtles worldwide, it is necessary to understand their dietary habits, including what they can and cannot eat. While some species are strictly herbivores, many are carnivores and omnivores, and their diet is made of plant and animal matter.

For pet turtles to remain healthy, their diets should mimic the one that the turtles in the wild have. Usually, turtles feed on foods available in their environment. Aquatic turtles tend to feed much on aquatic plants and animals, while terrestrial ones feed more on terrestrial plants and animals.

But Do Turtles Eat Frogs? Turtles, especially those that live near water sources, feed on frogs. The following list contains other food items turtles include in their diet.

• Plant Matter
  • Leafy greens: plantain and chickweed
  • Grasses and sedges
  • Aquatic plants: water lilies and water hyacinths
  • Fruits: berries, apples, and melons
  • Flowers
  • Herbs.
• Animal Matter
  • Insects: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and caterpillars
  • Worms: Earthworms, silkworms, hornworms, and grubs
  • Fish: fish eggs, minnows, and guppies
  • Mollusks: Snails and crabs
  • Crustaceans: crabs and crayfish
  • Amphibians: frogs, tadpoles, salamanders
  • Reptiles: lizards and snakes

Besides getting the answer to the question, “What turtles eat,” it’s also necessary to understand turtles’ nutritional requirements. This will help you decide what to feed and avoid feeding them.

The following table contains the turtle’s most important nutrients and their levels based on research on ResearchGate on freshwater turtles

Nutrient	Level
Proteins	39 % (least)
Calcium	5.7%
Phosphorous	3.0%
Methionine	1.03%
Cysteine	0.25%
Crude Fat	8.8%

Do Turtles Eat Worms? Worms As Part of Turtle Diet

As mentioned earlier, turtles can eat worms, which are part of their diet in the wild. Worms are available in many environments, which makes them an easy target for these reptiles.

Their sizes are also manageable, ranging from less than an inch to more than 8 inches long. They also tend to be slow, which enables turtles in the wild to easily hunt and catch them.  

Most importantly, worms are nutritious, carrying various crucial nutrients that turtles need for healthy growth. 

The following table lists the nutrients in mealworms, one of the popular worm types fed to pet turtles.

Nutrient	Value
Live Mealworms
Protein	20%
Fat	13%
Fiber	2%
Water	62%
Dried Mealworms
Protein	53%
Fat	28%
Fiber	6%
Moisture	5%

Source

Other worm types, like earthworms, contain higher amounts of protein, of up to 70%. On the other hand, Red wigglers are high in water content with up to 80%, and only have about 10% proteins. 

Which Turtles Eat Worms?

While most turtle types eat worms, some of them are commonly known to enjoy eating them. The following list contains these popular turtle types that commonly consume worms.

1. Red-eared Sliders Turtles

Red-eared sliders are popular pet turtles that enjoy feeding on worms. These reptiles are omnivores and enjoy various animal-based food items.

2. Eastern Box Turtles

Eastern box turtles are other popular pet types that enjoy worms as part of their healthy diet. In the wild, they actively forage for earthworms, among other invertebrates.

3. Snapping Turtles

Snapping turtles are also omnivores but mainly feed on animal matter, including worms. They actively forage in muddy areas in water in search of worms and other invertebrates.

4. Musk Turtles

Musk turtles are usually carnivores who feed on aquatic invertebrates in their environment. They are known to eat worms, commonly eating earthworms.

5. Painted Turtles

Painted turtles are aquatic turtles found in slow-moving waters. While they primarily feed on aquatic plants, they are also known to feed on worms.

6. Map Turtles

Map turtles are omnivores who enjoy feeding on various aquatic vegetation and occasionally feed on invertebrates, including worms.

Types of Worms Turtles Can Eat

As mentioned above; turtles can feed on various types of worms they come around in their environment. The following section discusses these popular worm types and where they’re commonly found.

1. Mealworms

Mealworms are among the popular worm types fed to pet turtles. They are larvae of darkling beetles and are usually found in breeding farms. Pet turtles can eat mealworms while they are dried or live.

2. Earthworms

Earthworms are easily found in decaying vegetation or soil and are good protein sources for turtles in terrestrial and semi-aquatic habitats.

3. Grubs

Grubs are beetle larvae and are found in areas with rich organic piles, like compost piles in gardens but also in leaf litter. Grubs have a higher fat content than most other worms.

4. Hornworms

Hornworms are larvae of hawk moths and are usually found in agricultural settings. Hornworms have a low fat but high water content, usually above 80%.

5. Silkworms

Silkworms are silk moth larvae and are primarily raised for silk production and as a food source for captive animals.

6. Red Wigglers

Red wigglers, also called compost worms, are commonly found in composting systems or worm bins.

7. Waxworms

Waxworms are larvae of wax moths and are common feeder insects bred to serve as food sources for captive pets.

8. Superworms

Superworms, also called king worms, are larvae of a darkling beetle. Superworms are known for their high phosphorus content and low calcium.

9. American Nightcrawlers

American nightcrawlers are found in moist areas and with rich organic matter, feeding on decaying plants.

The list contains only the popular types, and turtles can feed on many other types. 

How to Feed Worms To Pet Turtles?

Feeding worms to pet turtles is usually straightforward. However, observe the feeding time and amount to ensure the pets remain healthy. 

Feeding your pet turtles with worms usually includes the following steps.

• Getting the Worms:

The first thing is to get worms from a pet store or a trusted breeder. You can also get the right worms from the farm or the compost piles. However, avoid this option if there’s a chance they come into contact with pesticides or other chemicals.

• Preparing:

Optionally, you can feed the worms with fruits and vegetables a day before you give them to the pet. This is known as gut-loading and aims to improve the nutrients the pets get.

• Serving The Worms:

Serve the worms in their tank or place them next to them.

Check this: sliders eat worms underwater.

How Many and How Often to Feed Worms to Your Pet Turtles?

Offer the turtle between 3 and 5 worms. The amount varies with the type and size of the worm. Also, the turtle’s size determines the number of worms to serve. Younger turtles should eat two medium-sized worms

Worms should also be offered occasionally to allow them to eat other healthy food options. Offer them as treats, usually after they eat. 

Risk Of Turtles Eating Worms

While mealworms are nutritious and make a good food option for turtles, there are risks.

1. Parasites

Worms carry parasites, and buying or getting them from a non-controlled environment can cause health issues for your pet turtle. Besides, buying or harvesting them from an area treated with chemicals can also harm the pet.

2. High Protein and Fat

Most worm types are high in protein and fat, particularly the dried ones, which in excess can cause health issues, including shell pyramiding. The fat can also cause your turtle to gain weight and develop other health issues.

3. Calcium Absorption Issues

Various worm types are also high in phosphorus, which can hinder calcium absorption. Besides, excess fat can cause metabolic bone disease in your pet turtle. 

Final Words

Turtles can enjoy feeding on worms, which provide them with the various nutrients they require for healthy growth. As a pet owner, you must offer your turtle mealworms and other healthy animal-based food items that they eat in the wild.

However, ensure the pets eat worms occasionally so that they can keep eating their other healthy food items.  With a proper balance between plant and animal-based food items, your pet will grow healthy.