|
 |
 |
|
Water Fleas: In the wild, painted turtles feed on larvae of aquatic insects, such as caddisfly, dragonfly, aquatic flies; water beetles, water fleas; fairy shrimp, baby fish; small water snails, tadpoles; aquatic plants, such as duckweed, algae, milfoil, elodea, etc. Give bits of raw fish, small earthworms, meal worms cut in pieces, young of top minnows, small water snails, aquatic insects, small strips of raw liver, pieces of aquarium plants if available, cut-up bits of fresh, green vegetable tops, cut-up bits of waterlily pads. Keep piece of fresh, green lettuce on water at all times.
Food—In the wild, larvae feed on small aquatic animals such as water fleas, fairy shrimp, daphnia, mosquito wigglers, and other salamander larvae; many of these can be bought at tropical fish shops. When hind legs develop, add bits of scraped raw liver to natural food; remove all particles of liver soon after larvae feed, as even slight water pollution kills very suddenly. Keep larvae supplied with pond weeds, since compact roots and stems contain much small animal life.
In the wild, pond turtles feed on both plant and animal matter; consume larvae of aquatic insects such as dragonfly, caddisfly; water fleas, fairy shrimp; small snails, tadpoles, small fish, small crayfish; earthworms; carrion; water plants—algae, moss, willow leaves, duckweed, coontail, sometimes pods of wild yellow water lily, and wild berries. Give aquatic insects, earthworms, meal worms, bits of raw fish and raw beef, snails; water plants such as algae, young, tender willow leaves, fresh, tender young vegetable greens. Also offer fresh fruits in season, such as berries, apples, and melons. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
