Can Turtles Eat Cucumbers? Yes, they can!

Yes, turtles can eat cucumbers. Turtles are mostly omnivores and herbivores. They enjoy eating cucumbers along with a host of other meat-based and plant-based diets. Cucumbers contain a lot of water and are an excellent way for your pet turtle to stay hydrated on warmer days. 

Are Cucumbers Edible for Turtles?

There are around 250 species of turtles. They belong to the Testudines in the taxonomic classification. 

They are categorized into three types: aquatic turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. 

Aquatic turtles require water to live. Tortoises dwell on the land. Terrapin turtles spend their time both in water and on the ground. 

Out of these three categories, terrapin turtles are most commonly kept as pets. Most turtles are omnivores, to begin with. Some of them are carnivores. However, as they grow up, some of the aquatic switch to an herbivorous diet. 

A good example of a turtle species is the Mud turtle, omnivorous by nature, they enjoy cucumbers as part of their diet. Alongside aquatic invertebrates and small fish, cucumbers provide a vegetable component.

Because most pet turtles are either omnivores or herbivores, they are open to a wide range of plant-based food, including cucumbers.

What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Cucumbers for Your Turtle? 

Cucumbers are a water-based vegetable, they have high water content and they are made up of about 96 percent of water.  

Cucumbers contain specific vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for the overall good health of your pet turtle. Some of the nutrients available in cucumber are:  

• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Magnesium  

Cucumbers also contain very little fat and calories. This prevents the risk of obesity in your turtle. It is, therefore, a relatively safer vegetable to offer your turtle. 

Cucumbers are also high in fiber. Good fiber in the diet ensures that your pet will not suffer from constipation. 

Precautions to Take While Feeding Cucumbers to Your Turtle 

Despite containing specific vitamins and minerals, cucumbers are not nutrient-rich vegetables. Most of the nutrients that turtles require come from a wide variety of food that contains protein and other vital nutrients. 

• Do not offer a large quantity of cucumber to your turtles. If they load too much on cucumber, they may fill up on cucumbers and then would not eat other nutrient-rich food. 

• It is important to chop the cucumbers into small bite-sized pieces. Turtles can choke on larger slices of cucumber. 

• There is also a risk of getting diarrhea and indigestion if too much cucumber is consumed by your pet turtle. 

• The cucumber should be washed thoroughly under running water to remove pesticides or chemicals. Since turtles have weaker kidneys, harsh chemicals can damage their sensitive organs, like kidneys. 

• You should also avoid preserved, canned, and pickled cucumbers. They contain a lot of preservatives and do not have much nutritional value. Canned and pickled cucumbers are also slightly acidic. The preservatives and acidic agents can cause health problems in your pet turtle and are best avoided. 

The best option is to provide your pet turtle with organically grown, freshly cut cucumbers.

How Frequently Can You Give Cucumbers to Your Turtle?  

You can offer cucumbers to your pet turtle two to three times a week. 

Since it is not rich in nutrients turtles require, it should not be given as a substitute for an entire meal. Instead, it can be given as a snack or a treat. 

If it is given in the meal, then make sure you include a wide variety of protein-rich diet and other nutrition-rich vegetables. 

The nutritional value of cucumber per 100 g or 3.5 oz.

Component	Nutritional Value
Energy	15 kcal
Water	95.23 g
Total lipids	0.11 g
Carbohydrates	3.63 g
Protein	0.65g
Fiber	0.5 g
Sugars	1.67 g

Minerals per 100 g or 3.5 oz

Mineral	Nutritional Value
Calcium	16 mg
Phosphorus	24 mg
Potassium	147 mg
Iron	0.28 mg
Magnesium	13 mg
Sodium	2 mg
Zinc	0.20 mg

Vitamins per 100 g or 3.5 oz

Vitamin	Nutritional Value
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	2.8 mg
Vitamin B6	0.040 mg
Vitamin K	16.4 micrograms

You need to take into account the calcium-to-phosphorous ratio in cucumbers. Most vegetables contain some amounts of calcium and phosphorus. 

Calcium is beneficial for turtles, but phosphorus is not. Calcium strengthens the bones and shells of turtles. Hence, it is essential. 

But, too much phosphorus in the body can make your turtle’s shell softer. A lower calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in a vegetable is desirable for turtles. Cucumber has a 0.7:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. 

Accordingly, offering moderate quantities of cucumber at intermediate frequencies is recommended for your turtle. 

How Should You Serve the Cucumber to Your Turtle?

• The cucumber should be fresh in chunks, slices, or grated form. 
• To retain the fiber content of cucumber, it is best to serve it unpeeled. 
• Make sure you thoroughly wash the cucumber with clean water before serving it. 

What Other Fruits and Veggies Can Your Turtle Eat? 

A high-protein diet is essential for developing turtles. So it is crucial to restrict the amount of cucumber served to juvenile turtles. So, it is best to offer a combination of a high-protein meat-based diet and leafy vegetables and vegetables like cucumber to young turtles. 

Adults, however, have lesser protein requirements, for adults more vegetables and leafy greens are advisable. 

Some of the vegetables which are dense in nutrition and should be given to your pet turtle include zucchini, carrots, dandelion, parsley, squash, romaine lettuce, green lettuce, red lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, endive, turnip greens, clever, Swiss chard, and kale.

Icebergs or head lettuce should be avoided as they contain much water and few nutrients.  

Along with these vegetables, you can offer them live aquatic plants like duckweed, water lily, and water hyacinth. 

Fruits contain high-sugar levels and should be used sparingly and only as treats. Fruits like grapes, apples, melons, and strawberries can be offered. Along with vegetables and fruits, adding some nutritional supplements to your turtle’s diet is essential.  

Key Takeaway

So, the answer to the question, can turtles eat cucumbers? The answer is yes but in moderation. Too much cucumber will cause the turtle to avoid other food items, depleting vital nutrients. 

FAQs

Do Turtles Like Cucumbers?

Eating cucumbers can depend from species to species of the turtle you have. While most turtles like to chew on cucumbers because of the cooling attribute of cucumbers, some turtles may not like cucumbers, especially young turtles. It is best to offer them cucumber and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables when they are young. 

This is the best way to get them to eat cucumbers early on. If your turtle does not like eating cucumber, you can cover cucumber slices with freshwater algae. Turtles like algae a lot and will eat an algae-covered cucumber. Even if covering the cucumber slices or chunks with algae does not work, you can consult a vet for further advice. 

What Should I Do After Feeding My Turtle?

After feeding or handling your turtle, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly. Like most reptiles, turtles can transmit salmonella or other infectious diseases. All turtles should be assumed to have salmonella in their intestines. Though not born with it, they acquire it through environmental factors. Salmonella in humans can cause severe nervous system diseases, spine, and joints. 

How Often Should Water From Enclosure Be Cleaned or Changed?

If a filtration system is established in the pet enclosure, a complete water change is required only once a week or twice every month. If there is no filtration system in the enclosure, then a daily change of water is necessary for providing liveable conditions for your turtle.