Yellow-bellied Slider
Trachemys scripta scripta
Southeast North American semi-aquatic omnivore closely related to the red-eared slider. Dietary needs are nearly identical — juveniles are protein-heavy, adults shift toward 75–90% plant matter. Requires full aquatic setup with basking platform and UVB.
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Safe to feed(14)
Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
Continuous access in tank or pond.
Feeder Fish
Poecilia reticulata
Adults: once or twice per week.
Strawberries
Fragaria × ananassa
A few pieces once or twice per week.
Collard Greens
Brassica oleracea var. viridis
Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: daily or every other day.
Endive
Cichorium endivia
Include in regular rotation.
Romaine Lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green. Mix with higher-nutrition greens.
Duckweed
Lemna sp.
Can be kept live in tank and grazed freely.
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Keep live in tank for continuous grazing.
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Float in tank as an occasional grazing option.
Earthworms
Lumbricus terrestris
Juveniles: 2–3 times per week. Adults: once per week.
Crickets
Acheta domesticus
Juveniles: twice per week. Adults: once per week.
Aquatic Turtle Pellets
Juveniles: daily, 2–3 pellets per inch of shell. Adults: every 2–3 days.
Dandelion Greens
Taraxacum officinale
Adults: daily greens offering. Juveniles: daily alongside protein.
Mustard Greens
Brassica juncea
Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: offer alongside other greens.
Feed with caution(4)
Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Once per week maximum.
Mealworms
Tenebrio molitor
Once per week maximum, small number. Not a staple protein source.
Beet Greens
Beta vulgaris var. conditiva
Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.