The African sideneck turtle ( Pelusios castaneus ), also known as the West African mud turtle, is a captivating semi-aquatic reptile native to western and central Africa. Known for their hardiness and personable nature, these turtles have become increasingly popular as pets. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricate details of the African sideneck turtle's diet, providing essential information for both novice and experienced keepers.
Understanding the African Sideneck Turtle
These turtles are diurnal reptiles with an average adult length of 9-11 inches, with females typically larger than males. They possess distinctive features such as large heads, smooth shells, semi-webbed feet, and two small barbels under the chin. Their unique ability to tuck their heads sideways into their shells, rather than retracting them fully, gives them their distinctive name. With proper care, African sideneck turtles can live for several decades, making them a long-term commitment for any pet owner.
Nutritional Needs: Omnivorous Diet
In the wild, African sideneck turtles are omnivores, consuming a wide variety of insects, plants, and fish. This diverse diet is crucial for their health and well-being. When kept in captivity, it is essential to replicate this dietary variety to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. A balanced diet should consist of both plant- and animal-based foods.
Dietary Components
Animal-Based Foods
Offer as much animal-based food as your turtle will eat in 5-10 minutes. When they’re young and growing, Insects and protein should make up the majority of your sideneck turtle’s diet. For meat proteins you can feed your sideneck earthworms, snails, clams, fish, aquatic insects, cooked chicken pieces, beef hearts, crustaceans, and maybe some small amphibians.
- Insects: Earthworms, crickets, mealworms, and waxworms are excellent sources of protein and essential nutrients. "Gut-loading" these insects with a high-quality diet for 24-48 hours before feeding them to your turtle enhances their nutritional value. However, avoid feeding wild insects, as they may carry parasites or have been exposed to pesticides.
- Fish: Feeder fish can be offered occasionally, but be cautious about thiaminase content, which can interfere with vitamin B1 absorption.
- Other Protein Sources: Snails, clams, cooked chicken pieces, beef hearts, crustaceans, and small amphibians can supplement the diet, providing a variety of nutrients.
Plant-Based Foods
A portion of chopped/shredded vegetables should be roughly the same size as the turtle’s shell. As for the greenery, stick to nutrient-rich greens like spinach, romaine, and red-leaf lettuce (never iceberg).
Read also: Caring for the African Butterfly Fish
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, romaine lettuce, and red-leaf lettuce are excellent choices. Iceberg lettuce should be avoided due to its low nutritional value.
- Other Vegetables: A variety of chopped or shredded vegetables can be offered, ensuring a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals.
Commercial Turtle Pellets
High-quality commercial turtle pellets, such as Zilla Turtle Sticks, should form the foundation of the African sideneck turtle's diet. These pellets are formulated to provide a balanced mix of nutrients and should be offered as the primary food source.
Feeding Frequency and Portion Size
When it comes to feeding your African sideneck, variety is the key to success. No matter how much your turtle prefers a single food type, always feed it a variety to prevent it from developing a fixation. Aside from variety, don’t overfeed your turtles!
- Juveniles: Young, growing turtles require more frequent feedings, with insects and protein making up the majority of their diet.
- Adults: As turtles mature, their diet should shift to a more balanced mix of plant matter and animal protein.
- Portion Control: Monitor your turtle's weight regularly to prevent obesity. Offer as much animal-based food as your turtle will eat in 5-10 minutes. A portion of chopped/shredded vegetables should be roughly the same size as the turtle’s shell.
Feeding Environment and Hygiene
Since sidenecks are aquatic turtles, they eat in their tanks and meals can become messy. To avoid frequent tank cleanings, simply remove your turtle from its tank and feed it in a separate container.
Maintaining a clean feeding environment is crucial for your turtle's health.
- Separate Feeding Container: To minimize mess and maintain water quality in the main enclosure, consider feeding your turtle in a separate container.
- Water Quality: Aquatic turtles are messy creatures, so you will need a canister-style filter capable of handling at least 2-3x the amount of water in the enclosure. So, if you have an aquarium or pond with 110 gallons of water, you will need a filter rated for at least 220 gallons of water. Once every 1-2 weeks, remove and replace approximately 30% of the aquarium/pond’s total water volume. This helps minimize buildup of toxic compounds in the water that a filter is unable to resolve.
Additional Considerations
Vitamin Supplementation
Depending on your turtle’s diet, vitamin supplementation may be necessary. Always consult a reptile veterinarian before offering supplements to avoid both deficiency and toxicity.
Read also: Feeding Giant African Land Snails
Water Quality
Turtles need a spacious aquarium, ideally at least 75 gallons, with half to three quarters filled with water. The Aqueon Standard Glass Terrarium is a great option that comes in multiple sizes. A quality water filter is essential for cleanliness, like the Aqueon Quietflow® Canister Filter. In addition to keeping the water clean, you should dechlorinate the water by either letting it sit out for 24 hours before adding it to the tank or by adding a dechlorinating solution like Zilla Water Conditioner.
Environmental Factors
Like other cold-blooded creatures it’s important to provide the proper lighting, heating, and dietary requirements. Otherwise, African sideneck turtles are extremely hardy creatures.
- Basking Area: The basking platform should offer high temperatures of around 95°F, and the water should stay under 85°F, but no cooler than 70°F. Juveniles may require higher water temperatures of 80-85°F.
- UVB Lighting: Aquatic turtles like the African sideneck benefit from ultraviolet lights, too, particularly from UVB rays. These rays give turtles Vitamin D3 and can help them stay healthy. When placing UVB/UVA lights, keep in mind that any plastic, plexi-glass, or glass blocking them will prevent the beneficial rays from reaching your turtle. Also, UVB lights lose their UVB strength over time, even though the bulb continues to emit light.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups
That being said, it’s a wise idea to have a reptile veterinarian on hand before you even bring your pet turtle home. Weigh your turtle regularly to monitor its weight.
Read also: Exploring African purple fruits