Food
Pellets, dried insects and calcium-D3 supplements for tortoises, turtles, lizards and other reptiles.
Reptile diets vary enormously by species, so before buying food you need to know whether your animal is herbivorous, insectivorous or carnivorous. Tortoises are almost entirely herbivorous and should be fed fibrous greens and tortoise-specific pellets. Aquatic turtles such as red-eared sliders need more protein when young and shift towards plant food as adults. Species such as leopard geckos eat nothing but insects.
Why calcium and D3 are critical
Metabolic bone disease is one of the most common problems in captive reptiles. A lack of calcium or vitamin D3 leads to softened bones, shell deformities and even paralysis. To prevent it:
- Dust live insects with calcium powder before feeding (usually at every meal).
- Use a calcium with D3 or a multivitamin once or twice a week.
- Gut-load insects with nutritious vegetables for 24 hours before feeding them to your reptile.
Dried insects are a handy supplement, but many lizards prefer moving prey and dried insects are low in moisture. Combining live and dried foods is the most balanced approach.
Give aquatic turtles only as many pellets as they can eat in five minutes, then remove the rest; dirty water is a leading cause of shell and eye infections. Do not rely on low-value greens such as iceberg lettuce, or on spinach, which hinders calcium absorption, as staple foods.
Common questions about Food
How often should an aquatic turtle be fed?
Hatchlings daily, adults every other day or 3–4 times a week. Overfeeding leads to rapid growth and shell deformities.
Should calcium powder contain D3?
With a UVB lamp, plain calcium at most meals and calcium with D3 once or twice a week is enough. Without UVB, D3 matters more, but it is no substitute for UVB.
Can tortoises eat fruit?
For most Mediterranean tortoises, fruit should be rare and minimal, as the sugar upsets digestion. Base the diet on weeds and greens such as dandelion and rocket.