I have owned a 3 year old ornate box turtle for a few weeks now, but I am concerned because he refuses to eat his veggies. I've offered him many different veggies from escarole and dandelion greens to carrots and squash along with a protein source of worms or crickets, but he has become a master at picking out the worms and leaving the veggies. Even if some of the veggies stick to the meat he will carefully wipe them off before eating the meat. I know ornates are more carnivorous than other box turtles, but does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can persuade the little guy to eat at least some veggies? Thanks! :D
Good luck! Animals can be picky! I still can't get my hedgehogs to eat their veggies. I've never cared for an ornate box turtle but have had other turtles short term. It seems turtles will go for the live foods first, then the meat based ones, and finally the fruits and veggies. Here are some suggestions:
1. Limit the live foods so in order to be satiated, he has to eat the other foods. My hedgehogs would eat nothing but live mealworms if I put in enough so I just put in two a day so they have to eat other foods.
2. Alternate days of feeding live foods and fruits and veggies. That's what I do with my sailfin lizard. If you feed live foods only every other day and fruits and veggies every other day, he may be more likely to try other things.
3. Try more variety in the fruits and veggies area to see if something is more of a favorite than another. The painted turtle I had didn't like fruits and veggies except for grapes.
4. Mix meat foods with veggie foods. It's better to mix small chunks than puree it in a blender.
5. Over time, hopefully your turtle will eat more variety of types of foods. In the mean time, be sure to dust the live foods in reptile vitamins.
Check out some sites on ornate box turtles. Like I said, I have not had them before. I'm sure there are those that have who can give you more detailed and accurate advise. Good luck!
Thanks Robyn! After a couple weeks of alternating meat and veggie days he seems to have taken more interest in the veggies. In the mean time I'm dusting insects with calcium and a multi vitamin, but I'm confident that in time he'll grow to love his greens. ^_^