Can Turtles Eat Bread?
Turtles are amazing little creatures. Having been around since pre-historic times, they are survivors and know how to fend for themselves.
Whether they are in the wild or in a home, turtles of all species need proper nutrition. Without it, there are many diseases that can make the turtle weak and kill it.
We humans often like to feed these little reptiles at parks, ponds, or other outdoor areas they call home. We’ll grab a loaf of bread or some stale rolls and off we go.
Thinking we’re doing them a favor, we rarely stop to ask – can turtles eat bread? Keep reading for the answer and other important information:
Can Turtles Eat Bread?
Let’s begin our answer with another question (we promise it will become clear).
Can humans eat cardboard?
Technically, we can. It won’t kill us. But cardboard contains almost 100% cellulose.
Humans don’t have the enzymes (proteins that breakdown food) to digest cardboard. So it would take more energy to pass through our system.
We would burn more calories than we would gain nutrients from it. If all we ate was cardboard, we would become malnourished and get sick.
The same exact scenario is true for turtles and bread. Bread contains yeast. Turtles don’t have the enzymes to breakdown and digest yeast or dairy. They don’t benefit from any of the nutrients.
Just like we should not eat cardboard, turtles should not eat bread.
But What If The Turtles Are Hungry?
You may still think that some bread here and there won’t hurt a turtle. Bread is tasty and it’s fun for us to feed them.
What if there are not enough bugs or fish? What if they can’t find any?
Then let’s dig a little deeper into why turtles don’t need, and shouldn’t have bread.
Lets focus on wild turtles for now. The kind we see in lakes, ponds, while camping, or maybe even in our backyard.
These turtles are natural born hunters and gatherers. Just like their ancient ancestors, they know how to survive. They are always on the look out for:
- moths
- flies
- crickets
- worms
- shrimp
- krill
- small feeder fish
Being omnivores, when critters are in short supply, turtles will happily forage for fruits and plants. Turtles will always find food! All of these foods bring the proper nutrients to the turtle. The hunting keeps them active.
Now enter the well meaning human. We may think they need food. Perhaps, treating them to a gourmet treat. But in reality, we’re not doing the turtle any good.
The problem is, the turtle doesn’t know the bread isn’t good for it. So they will happily gobble up the bread.
The bread will fill up the turtle. So they won’t go look for the food they actually need to maintain a healthy diet.
Turtles may also become conditioned and reliant on humans feeding them. That is not good for any wild animal.
If you really want to bring a snack for wild turtles, try some kale or carrots. Turtles love both and it’s good for them.
What About My Pet Turtle?
Now for the pet turtle owners out there. Pet turtles don’t need to worry about hunting. They can lounge about all day waiting for their humans to feed them.
Their diet doesn’t always include that of a wild turtle. So why can’t they have bread? The same digestive issue applies to all turtles, regardless if they live in a pond or your living room.
However, since you probably feed them a nutrient-rich turtle food, a small, rare piece of bread won’t do them any harm. But there’s really no need.
Your pet turtle can enjoy many other treats without fear. These include:
- green beans
- carrots
- bananas
- pears
- apples
- occasional bits of cooked chicken or beef
- any dark green, leafy vegetable
Be careful to chop any snacks into turtle-friendly bits to avoid choking. Also, always wash off all produce. Fruits and veggies can contain pesticides that are poisonous to turtles.
Attention does need to be paid to the amount, frequency, and type of human food that is fed to turtles. Many foods, including bread, contain oxalates. Oxalates are extremely dangerous to turtles.
What Are Oxalates and What Do They Do?
Oxalate aka oxalic acid is a natural chemical found in many foods. However, just because it’s natural does not mean it’s good.
Oxalates are not harmful in the sense that they are poison. They normally just leave our bodies naturally. Before they go through, they bind to the calcium in our system and take it with them.
Flour is very high in oxalates. Therefore, bread has high levels as well. If a turtle has an improper balanced ration of calcium to oxalates, they can develop metabolic bone disease.
This is an extremely serious disease for any reptile, especially turtles.
What Is Metabolic Bone Disease?
Metabolic bone disease is a number of bone complications that are caused by a lack of calcium. In turtles, symptoms to watch for are:
- swollen or bowed legs
- bumps along the legs and tail
- softening of the shell
- weakness when walking
- tremors or shaking
If left untreated, seizures, paralysis, and death can occur.
Turtles need a lot of calcium to maintain a healthy shell. Their shell is to them what our skin is to us. It has nerve endings. So, when it’s unhealthy, it hurts. A turtle cannot live without its shell!
Luckily, this disease can be avoided in turtles by feeding them a well balanced diet. Which should not include bread.
Keep Turtles Bread Free
Clearly, turtles cannot eat bread for a variety of health reasons. There are a ton of great foods that they can and should eat to maintain a healthy balance. Their shells are what protect them and keep them alive.
If you really want to feed wild turtles, bring some kale or carrots. Turtles love these and it’s good for them. If you want to treat your pet turtle, please don’t do it with bread!
