Softshell turtles are distinctive aquatic reptiles, noted for their flat, pancake-like bodies and leathery carapaces that lack the bony scutes of most other turtles. They possess an elongated neck and a unique, snorkel-like snout, adaptations that support their highly aquatic lifestyle. Understanding their specialized diet is important, whether observing them in their native river systems or providing proper care in captivity. This article examines the natural foraging habits of softshell turtles and outlines the nutritional requirements for their welfare.
The Softshell Turtle’s Natural Diet
Softshell turtles are primarily opportunistic carnivores, reflecting the available aquatic prey in their habitats. Their diet is heavily weighted toward invertebrates, consumed in large quantities to meet high protein demands. This includes crustaceans like crayfish, snails, and mussels, whose hard shells are easily crushed by the turtle’s powerful jaws.
They also prey on smaller vertebrates and other aquatic life forms, such as fish, amphibians (frogs and tadpoles), and aquatic insect larvae. While animal matter is the bulk of their intake, some species, like the Florida softshell turtle, occasionally consume plant matter, making them technically omnivorous.
Hunting and Feeding Mechanisms
The softshell turtle primarily functions as an ambush predator in the soft substrate of its environment. They use their strong, webbed feet to quickly burrow into the sand or mud at the bottom of a river or lake, remaining completely concealed. The turtle extends its long neck and uses its specialized snout, which acts like a snorkel, to breathe while waiting for prey to pass overhead.
When an unsuspecting fish or crustacean moves within striking distance, the turtle launches an explosive movement from its hidden position. This movement, combined with their sharp, powerful jaws, allows them to seize prey with precision. Their reliance on this “sit-and-wait” technique maximizes the hunting efficiency of their unique flattened body and long neck.
Feeding Softshell Turtles in Captivity
Providing a balanced diet for a captive softshell turtle requires replicating the high protein and high-calcium intake they receive from whole-prey items in the wild. The primary diet should be a high-quality commercial aquatic turtle pellet designed for carnivorous species, which provides necessary vitamins and minerals. These pellets should form the majority of the diet, typically around 75% to 80% for adult softshells.
The remainder should consist of fresh supplemental foods for enrichment and varied nutrients, including live or frozen-thawed options. Excellent choices include:
- Earthworms
- Gut-loaded crickets
- Waxworms
- Small feeder fish like guppies or platies
Avoid feeding certain fish, such as goldfish or fathead minnows, due to their thiaminase content, an enzyme that breaks down Vitamin B1.
Juvenile turtles should be fed once daily, offering as much as they can consume in a 10 to 15-minute period to support rapid growth. Adult softshells are typically fed every other day. All food must be offered in the water, and any uneaten portions should be promptly removed to maintain water quality. A calcium supplement, applied as a powder dusting to the food, should be provided daily for hatchlings and three times per week for adults to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Foods to Strictly Avoid
Several common foods are detrimental to a softshell turtle’s health and should never be offered.
Low-Nutrient and Processed Foods
Foods that offer little nutritional value, such as iceberg lettuce, should be avoided because they fill the stomach without providing necessary nutrients like Vitamin A. Highly processed human foods, including refined sugars, fried items, and processed meats, contain harmful preservatives, excessive sodium, and unhealthy fats that their digestive systems cannot properly process.
Calcium Binders and Toxins
Certain vegetables and seeds can actively interfere with nutrient absorption. Spinach and kale, for example, contain high levels of oxalic acid, which binds to calcium and prevents the turtle from utilizing this mineral for healthy shell and bone development. Toxic items such as avocado and dairy products must be kept out of the diet; turtles are lactose intolerant and lack the necessary enzymes to digest milk sugars.