What Do Yellow Spotted Turtles Eat?

There are two species of yellow-spotted turtle - the Clemmys guttata (spotted turtle) and the Podocnemis unifilis (yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle). While the spotted turtle has yellow spots marking its dark carapace, or top shell, as well as its legs and head, the Amazon River turtle often only carries yellow spots or blotches on its head. They are both semi-aquatic, and spend much of their time in the water. The spotted turtle inhabits areas of North America along the eastern seaboard while the Amazon River turtle lives in South America between the Amazon River and Orinoco River drainage areas.

  1. Omnivores

    • The spotted turtle and Amazon River turtle are omnivorous species. Their diets include a mixture of both plant and animal matter. Though they can survive for a time on just vegetation or just meat, they will not remain in optimum health by doing so.

    Plants

    • Both the spotted turtle and the Amazon River turtle eat aquatic grasses. The spotted turtle is also known to eat algae, while the Amazon River turtle will dine on fruits, leaves and weeds. During dry seasons when waters are low both species may come out of the water and eat available vegetation along the edges of their rivers, ponds or bogs.

    Animals

    • Spotted turtles eat a variety of animal matter including aquatic insect larvae, small crustaceans, snails, tadpoles, worms, crayfish and small frogs. If there is nothing else available to eat, they may dine on carrion, including dead fish and duck carcasses. Amazon River turtles eat slightly larger prey, including mollusks, fish and small invertebrates. They will also dine on carrion if fresher meat is not available.

    Environment

    • A major factor in what both species of turtle eats is their environment. As they both live in watery areas their diet will consist of plants and animals that also live in such habitats. Spotted turtles aestivate in winter, which is similar to hibernation, and are most active during the months of April through June. They will eat what is available to them during this time period. Living in a tropical environment that does not experience seasons, the Amazon River turtle does not need to hibernate or aestivate and is active throughout the year. It will eat a wider variety of plant and animal matter as it becomes available.