found a turtle! don't know what to feed!

**lute** · 04-17-2006, 02:36 PM

my grandpa found a baby turtle. looks to be like a box turtle or something. she's only the size of a quarter. i'm taking her home. i've had a turtle before(red-eared slider) but that was years ago and i don't remember what to feed them.

any other advice would be great!
THANKS!

**Karen** · 04-17-2006, 02:52 PM

Special turtle food from the store is your best bet - she's too little for fish quite yet, and we don't know what plants she'd eat.

**lute** · 04-17-2006, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Special turtle food from the store is your best bet - she's too little for fish quite yet, and we don't know what plants she'd eat.

i'm off to the store!

thanks Karen!

**Jessika** · 04-17-2006, 03:25 PM

Its illegal to own a turtle under 4" in length on the carapice, and even more illegal to take one from the wild and keep as a pet. Baby turtles are really good surviving on its own in the wild and foraging for itself. Your absolute best bet is to just let it go on its own in the wild. No commercial food will ever be as good for it. Turtles are carnivorious, especially hatchlings. Find out the exact breed of it, and then search for that breed specific diet for it. Commercial turtle food is ok, but home made diet is better, and on its own in the wild is the best.

**dab_20** · 04-17-2006, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jessika

Its illegal to own a turtle under 4" in length on the carapice, and even more illegal to take one from the wild and keep as a pet. Baby turtles are really good surviving on its own in the wild and foraging for itself. Your absolute best bet is to just let it go on its own in the wild. No commercial food will ever be as good for it. Turtles are carnivorious, especially hatchlings. Find out the exact breed of it, and then search for that breed specific diet for it. Commercial turtle food is ok, but home made diet is better, and on its own in the wild is the best.

I agree. I would just let the turtle go, it's his best bet for a happy life. Maybe you could get one of those turtles at the pet store if you really want one?

**Chilli** · 04-17-2006, 06:08 PM

As hard as it will be, I agree that its best for the turtle to be in the wild.
I'm unsure if it's illegal, though. Here in Arkansas they don't say its illegal, but I know for certain its that way in Missouri (I live close to the Arkansas-Missouri line... and i know you don't live in Missouri, Lute.).
Petstore turtles do have quite a pricetag (box turtles here at Petco are around $70-some), but at least he would be domesticated.
Good luck on whatever you decision may be.