Softshell turtles, known for their unique, pliable shells, are fascinating creatures found across the globe. Native to Africa, Asia, and North America, these turtles possess distinct dietary needs that are crucial for their health and well-being, whether in the wild or in captivity. This article delves into the specifics of the softshell turtle diet, covering everything from their natural food sources to optimal feeding practices in a captive environment.
Natural Diet in the Wild
Softshell turtles are primarily carnivores, with a diet that consists mainly of insects, amphibians, eggs, and fish. Their feeding habits involve actively seeking food by probing along the bottom of their habitats, beneath objects, or in submerged vegetation. They may also bury themselves in the mud or sand to ambush passing prey with swift strikes of their long necks. This hunting strategy highlights their adaptability and reliance on live prey in their natural environment.
Dietary Needs in Captivity
When kept as pets, softshell turtles require a diet that mimics their natural food sources to thrive. A varied diet is essential, and while they may adapt to eating floating turtle pellets, it's crucial to supplement their meals with other food items to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients.
Recommended Food Items
- Live Invertebrates: Redworms, earthworms, and blackworms are excellent sources of protein and other essential nutrients.
- Small Fish: Guppies, platies, and mosquito fish can be introduced into the tank to provide a natural hunting experience and a source of fresh food. Avoid carp and catfish.
- Commercial Turtle Food: Reptomin® floating sticks are often appealing to young softshell turtles and can form a part of their regular diet.
- Dehydrated Shrimp Treats: Zilla River Shrimp and Turtle Chasers are readily accepted and provide variety.
- Other Options: Krill, silversides, and cooked chicken (in moderation) can be offered. Crustaceans like shrimp and prawns are also beneficial due to their nutritional content.
Feeding Frequency and Quantity
Softshell turtles should be fed once daily, allowing them to consume the food within a 15-minute period. This helps prevent overfeeding and maintains water quality.
Special Considerations for Hatchlings
Hatchling softshell turtles are particularly sensitive and require specialized care, especially regarding their diet.
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- High-Quality Water: The water in their tank must be of the highest quality, free of chlorine, slightly acidic, filtered, and oxygenated.
- Live Prey: Initially, hatchlings should be fed live invertebrates to stimulate their hunting instincts and ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
- Acclimation to Pellets: Most species will gradually begin to accept pelleted aquatic turtle food after acclimating to their environment and feeding on live prey.
Maintaining a Healthy Habitat
The environment in which softshell turtles are housed plays a significant role in their overall health and ability to thrive on their diet.
Tank Setup
- Tank Size: Depending on the species, the tank should be at least 75-100 gallons to provide ample swimming space. Hatchlings can be housed in 20-gallon long aquariums.
- Water Quality: Maintaining high water quality is crucial. Use water care products like Zilla Water Conditioner, Zilla Miracle Ball, and Zilla PURE to help keep the environment healthy. A good filter is essential for maintaining overall water quality.
- Substrate: A soft, sandy substrate is necessary for softshell turtles, as they spend a lot of time buried in the sand. Use fine-grade sandblasting sand or thoroughly rinsed play or river sand. Avoid larger grade sand and pebbles that can abrade their soft plastrons and lead to sores and infections.
- Basking Area: Provide a basking area with driftwood or accessories like the Zilla Freestanding Floating Basking Platform or Zilla Basking Platform Ramp. Maintain a temperature of 70-80˚F with a basking area at 90˚F. Use bulbs like the Zilla Incandescent Spot Bulbs or Zilla Mini Halogen Bulbs to create healthy heat and lighting.
- UVA/UVB Lighting: Indoor turtles require UVB lighting and supplemental heat lights for 10-12 hours a day. Make sure to provide access to UVA/UVB on basking platforms using any Zilla Fluorescent UVA/UVB bulb.
- Enrichment: Add lots of driftwood and live plants to enhance their environment. Live aquatic plants will also help "acclimate" the water and add oxygen to the system.
Water Conditions
- Temperature: Water should be in the 72-75° F (22-25° C) range.
- pH Level: Maintain a neutral to slightly acidic pH range (6.5 to 7.0).
- Filtration: Overboard filtration is recommended to maintain water quality.
- Salinity: Many soft-shelled turtle species are found in brackish (salty) water in nature, especially Florida Soft-shells. The addition of salt can be beneficial to keeping them healthy, inhibiting the growth of fungus and certain bacteria. Use a couple of tablespoons of sea salt or aquarium salt per gallon of water.
Health and Safety
Maintaining the health and safety of softshell turtles involves careful attention to their environment and diet.
Potential Health Issues
Scratches or scrapes can easily become infected if soft-shelled turtles are kept in enclosures with poor water quality. Be careful to prepare their cage furnishings carefully and thoughtfully.
Medications and Treatments
Keep some Acriflavine and Silvadene® cream on hand for emergencies. Silvadene® is an antibiotic cream formulated for use with human burn victims and has proven very effective in treating sores and shell problems in both soft-shelled and hard-shelled turtles. However, it requires a physician's prescription. Betadine (iodine) is toxic to some soft-shelled turtles, especially members of the genus Aspideretes. To be safe, do not use iodine-containing products with any soft-shelled turtles.
Precautions
Many tropical fish keepers using Acriflavine suggest treating animals with an accompanying rise in the water temperature. Warm water temperatures in the suggested 85-88° F range can be deadly to soft-shelled turtles!
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Species-Specific Considerations
Different species of softshell turtles have slightly varying needs.
Spiny Soft-Shelled Turtles (Apalone spinifera)
These turtles have many spiny processes on the anterior of the carapace. There are seven subspecies of A. spinifera ranging from Canada to Mexico and as far west as California. Adult spiny softshell turtles are found in the littoral zone, marshes and tributary streams. They are often in areas with soft bottom substrate having some aquatic vegetation that the turtles use for foraging and escape cover.
Smooth Soft-Shelled Turtles (Apalone mutica)
These turtles have smooth carapaces and lack the spiny processes seen in A. spinifera. They are beautifully marked with vermiculations and large spots and are found from Minnesota south to Florida and west to Texas and New Mexico.
Florida Soft-Shelled Turtles (Apalone ferox)
This is a large species (females to 20 inches, males smaller) that is quite prolific. A large female can lay two clutches each year totaling as many as 70 eggs. Florida softshell turtles spend most of their time in the water and can be seen basking along the shores of bodies of water or on logs and floating vegetation. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on snails, insects, fish, crustaceans, and rarely have even been documented to eat small birds.
Conservation Efforts
The spiny softshell is listed as threatened, so it's important to support conservation programs. Several large, communal nesting beaches are intensively managed for the spiny softshell, with map, snapping, painted, and musk turtles also benefiting. Covering large sections of nesting substrate post-nesting with wire mesh has proven to be an important predator deterrence method.
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How to Help
- Do not disturb turtles on their nesting and basking sites. Stay at least 300 feet away and honor warning signs when posted.
- Learn how to properly release a hooked turtle to reduce stress and injury to both parties.
- Get involved. Support spiny softshell conservation programs.
- Turtles can be helped across the road if it is safe to do so, but it’s important to only move the turtle in the direction it was heading and release it once it is safe.
- To avoid spreading turtle frasiervirus 1, do not capture and transport Florida softshell turtles, even those that appear healthy, to release turtles at new locations.