Can Painted Turtles eat Dubia Roaches?
Chrysemys picta · Blaptica dubia
Caution
2–3×/week for juveniles
Painted Turtles follow an omnivorous pattern shifting from juvenile carnivory to adult omnivory per Merck Vet Manual, supporting insect protein as appropriate. Tortoise Trust notes crickets and similar feeder insects are acceptable in limited amounts for aquatic turtles, and Dubia Roaches are a nutritionally comparable option.
Feeding frequency
2–3×/week for juveniles
The short answer
Painted Turtles follow an omnivorous pattern shifting from juvenile carnivory to adult omnivory per Merck Vet Manual, supporting insect protein as appropriate. Tortoise Trust notes crickets and similar feeder insects are acceptable in limited amounts for aquatic turtles, and Dubia Roaches are a nutritionally comparable option.
Feeding it safely
How much / how often
Backed by sources
Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026
Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.
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