What turtles eat in nature, the diet of marine, freshwater and land turtles

In nature, turtles eat both plant and animal food. The diet depends on the habitat and physiological characteristics of the reptiles. Animals living in the water are capable of very fast, agile movement, so they are able to catch fish and other organisms. Land-dwelling species mainly feed on plant foods.

What do freshwater turtles eat?

The most common species of turtles that live in rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies include marsh and red-eared. These are omnivorous reptiles that mainly (70% -80%) feed on animal food. They are very good at swimming, so they lead a predominantly predatory lifestyle. But aquatic reptiles are not as good swimmers as fish. Therefore, they eat only those animals that they can actually catch up with.

The bog turtle eats:

• worms;
• crustacean
• shrimps;
• shellfish;
• dragonflies;
• water beetles;
• mosquitoes;
• urine;
• locust;
• larvae of these insects;
• tadpoles;
• frogs – adults and eggs.

For the remaining 20% ​​-30%, the diet of the marsh turtle is represented by plant foods – these are algae, duckweed, and other aquatic plants. Young individuals mainly lead a predatory lifestyle: during the period of active growth, they can even destroy nests and eat eggs laid by their relatives. At a more mature age (starting from 15-20 years), the proportion of plant food gradually increases in the diet.

Red-eared turtles mainly feed on the same animals. The main component of their diet is mussels, snails, oysters and other mollusks, as well as various crustaceans. In summer, they focus on aquatic and partly flying insects – grasshoppers, beetles, etc. They (like other species) have no teeth, but they even cope well with mollusk shells. Powerful jaws break the base, and then the turtle eats the pulp itself.

Diet of Marine Species

Reptiles living in the sea can be both predatory and herbivorous. There are also omnivorous species – these sea turtles in nature feed on food of any origin. These animals are characterized by the same tendency as for freshwater. Young individuals lead an active predatory lifestyle, while older ones switch mainly to plant foods.

The diet depends on the specific species. Olive Atlantic sea turtle eats small invertebrates and crustaceans – these are:

• jellyfish;
• sea ​​urchins;
• various shellfish;
• crabs;
• sea ​​stars;
• snails;
• sea ​​cucumbers;
• polyps.

They also feed on vegetation growing on the shallow seabed, as well as algae. Some turtles in nature even eat poisonous jellyfish. The poison that enters their body does no harm. Moreover, its smell repels other, larger predators, thanks to which the reptile receives additional protection.

Green turtles in the wild eat only plants. This is an example of a reptile that leads a completely vegetarian lifestyle.

Feeding land species

If freshwater and sea turtles eat mainly animals, then land turtles (Central Asian and others) focus on plants:

• species growing in deserts (elm, bluegrass, sedge, etc.);
• garden;
• various fruits, vegetables;
• berries.

Central Asian turtles do not eat animals, but they can ruin the nests of relatives and even small birds. Young individuals need proteins, therefore, if necessary, they can satisfy their hunger in this way. Land turtles gnaw at thin branches that have fallen from trees, and can also eat mushrooms.