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FEEDING AND HANDLING There are many books on the market that convey the wrong information on the diet of box turtles. Listed below are proven guidelines for feeding box turtles. In a broad sense, box turtles are. opportunistic omnivores, which accounts for their relatively high densities (until recently) in manyareas of the U.S. Hatchlings and juveniles are primarily carnivorous but consume more plant material as they grow older. Many wild-collected animals sold in pet shops are reluctant feeders. The key to establishing a healthy feeding routine in box turtles is to set up daily patterns that stimulate and lead to regular and eager feeding. When to Feed Allow box turtles to warm up before they are fed. Make sure that the heating units in your indoor vivarium have been turned on for a couple of hours before offering thern food. Offer food every other day to box turtles of all ages, as long as they are not hibernating. Quick Tip If you keep your box turtles outdoors, wait until the moming temperatures have started to wann up before offering food to them. What to Feed Box turtles recognize food by sight and srnell. To entice thern to feed, you rnust stirnulate both these senses. Offer thern two types of food at each feeding: (1) meat products or live foods and (2) plant matter. Meat Products Meat products can include:
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