What Do Short-Necked Turtles Eat?

A short-neck turtle is a freshwater turtle that is native to Australia. It makes a great pet, but it requires a lot of responsibility. To keep your short-neck happy and healthy, feed it the proper foods.

  1. Diet

    • The short-neck turtle is an omnivore so it has many dietary options. It eats meats and plants. Age and location may affect its diet.

    In the Wild

    • In the wild, the short-neck turtle is a scavenger, finding dead animal carcases. It will also feed on small fish, tadpoles, fish eggs, insects, crayfish and natural vegetation. Young turtles will feed on insect larva and tend to be more carnivorous, while the elder short-neck turtles will feed more on vegetation.

    In Captivity

    • Short-neck turtles in captivity need to be fed plenty of freshwater fish, shrimp, freshwater snails and vegetation. Freshwater yabbies and pawns should also be included in their diet. Short-neck turtles prefer to eat underwater.

    What Not to Feed a Short-Neck Turtle

    • Although many pet stores carry turtle pellets, they are not recommended for short-neck turtles. These reptiles need fresh food and vegetation to live a healthy life. Turtles should never eat any type of livestock such as pig or cow meat, or any other human or man-made foods.