How to Feed a Baby False Map Turtle

The false map turtle--scientifically known as Graptemys pseudogeographica, also called the Mississippi map turtle and the sawback turtle--features a grayish-green shell with low, knobby spines or scutes, which give the back a serrated appearance. The false map turtle does well in a community tank with other semi-aquatic turtles, such as red ear sliders and painted turtles, and makes a good turtle for beginners. It is omnivorous, meaning it eats both plant matter and live food. If you have a baby false map turtle--also called a hatchling--you need to offer it the proper foods. By following some basic guidelines for what and when to feed, you can raise your baby false map turtle to a thriving adult.

Things You'll Need

  • Small bowl
  • Commercial high-quality turtle pellets
  • Anacharis aquatic plant
  • Romaine, watercress and dandelion leaves
  • Finely chopped earthworm bits, fresh or frozen plankton, freeze-dried shrimp and krill
  • Small feeder crickets, preferably gut-loaded
  • Cuttlebone
  • Knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a separate feeding area by filling a small bowl with water from the baby false map turtle's aquarium, using just enough to cover the turtle. Map turtles must be in water to eat.

    • 2

      Feed the baby false map turtle once a day with high-quality commercial turtle pellets, sold under the name Reptomin. Augment the baby turtle's diet with Anacharis--an aquatic plant--along with pesticide-free greens such as romaine lettuce, watercress and dandelion leaves. Feed the baby turtle all the greens it will eat, but limit the servings of pellets; don't let the turtle gorge itself. According to the Austin's Turtle Page website, feeding two Baby Reptomin pellets per day for the first few months is a good starting point. Another useful rule of thumb is to limit the baby turtle to all it can eat in 10 minutes.

    • 3

      Once or twice a week, substitute live food for the pellets. Offer the baby turtle finely chopped earthworm bits, fresh or frozen plankton, freeze-dried shrimp and krill, all purchased from a reputable pet store. Small feeder crickets are a good choice, especially if they have been fed before sale with vitamin-rich supplements, a process known as gut-loading.

    • 4

      Ensure your baby false map turtle gets enough calcium by offering a cuttlebone, available in the bird section of pet stores. Remove the hard backing from the cuttlebone by breaking it in two, then scraping with a knife.

    • 5

      Reduce feedings to every other day when the baby false map turtle reaches six months old.

    • 6

      Watch for the "pyramid" shell deformity that can be an indication of feeding excessive amounts of high-protein foods. The knobs on the turtle's shell develop prominent concentric rings, giving them a bumpy appearance. To avoid the risk of liver failure--another result of too much protein--cut back on live foods if your baby turtle exhibits pyramiding of the shell.