Feeding Your Musk Turtle: Essential Diet Tips Every Beginner Should Follow

fact checked & review by

Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

When I first brought home my musk turtle, I had no idea what to feed it—was it a meat-eater, a plant lover, or both?

After a lot of trial and error (and a few picky-eater moments), I figured out the perfect diet that keeps my turtle happy and healthy.

If you’re a beginner, don’t worry! These diet tips will make feeding your musk turtle a breeze.

What Do Musk Turtles Eat?

Food Type	Wild Musk Turtles	Pet Musk Turtles
Insects	Beetles, insect larvae	Crickets, mealworms
Small Fish	Minnows, tadpoles	Small feeder fish, cut-up fish pieces
Snails & Crustaceans	Snails, crayfish	Commercial turtle snacks, snails, shrimp
Plants	Aquatic plants, algae	Fresh aquatic plants, spinach (in small amounts)
Worms	Earthworms	Earthworms, bloodworms
Turtle Pellets	N/A	Commercial turtle pellets

In the wild, musk turtles are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat whatever they can find. Their diet mainly consists of small animals like insects, snails, and fish. They’re known to scavenge too, eating dead fish or other animals they come across.

Tadpoles are a favorite snack, and they’ll also go after worms or crustaceans like crayfish. They aren’t picky eaters!

Aquatic plants are also a part of their diet, but they prefer animal matter. Plants are more of a side dish for them. In the wild, they’ll graze on algae or nibble on soft aquatic plants when available.

When it comes to pet musk turtles, you can replicate their natural diet by offering similar foods. Live foods like earthworms, mealworms, and crickets keep them happy and active. You can also give them small fish or cut-up shrimp.

If you’re feeding them in water, it’s fun to watch how quickly they grab their food! Just make sure the fish or shrimp are safe and free from parasites.

I always found it handy to have turtle pellets as well. These pellets are specifically designed to give them the nutrients they need, like vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, which helps with their shell health. Mixing pellets with live food gives them a well-rounded diet.

One thing I noticed when I had my turtle was how excited he’d get when I dropped in a worm. It was like a little hunting game for him!

Foods To Avoid Feeding The Musk Turtle

There are definitely some foods you should avoid feeding a musk turtle. Here’s a quick rundown:

Processed or Human Food: Avoid giving them anything like bread, dairy, or salty snacks. Their system can’t handle it.
Fatty Meats: High-fat meats, like bacon or processed meats, can be hard for them to digest and aren’t good for their health.
Raw Meat: Some people think raw chicken or beef is okay, but it can carry bacteria and isn’t nutritionally balanced for turtles.
Citrus Fruits: Fruits like oranges or lemons are too acidic and can upset their stomach.
Spinach and Rhubarb: These are high in oxalates, which can interfere with calcium absorption and affect their shell health.
Toxic Plants: Make sure any plants in their habitat aren’t toxic. Avoid ivy, azalea, and other poisonous plants.

I learned the hard way that dairy is a big no-no for musk turtles. I once dropped a piece of cheese near my turtle, and while he was curious, I quickly removed it because turtles can’t digest dairy at all. Better to stick with safe foods!

How Often Do You Feed A Musk Turtle?

Feeding musk turtles depends on their age and nutritional needs. Babies, juveniles, and adults all have different feeding schedules. Here’s a detailed guide to help:

Age	Feeding Frequency	Diet	Portion
Baby (0-6 months)	Every day	High-protein: bloodworms, baby shrimp, pellets	Enough for 5-10 minutes of eating
Juvenile (6 months-2 years)	4-5 times a week	Live foods, turtle pellets, small fish, greens	Enough for 10-15 minutes of eating
Adult (2+ years)	2-3 times a week	Protein & plant-based: worms, snails, fish, greens, pellets	Enough for 15-20 minutes of eating

Baby Musk Turtles (Hatchlings, 0-6 months)

Baby musk turtles need more frequent feeding because they’re growing rapidly and have higher energy needs.

Feeding Frequency: Every day
Diet: Protein-rich foods are essential at this stage. Feed them small portions of live or frozen food like bloodworms, chopped earthworms, or baby shrimp. Turtle pellets should be offered as well. Since they’re tiny, ensure the food is bite-sized.
Portion: Offer food that they can finish in about 5-10 minutes. Anything left after this time should be removed from the tank to prevent water contamination.

Personal tip: When I had a baby turtle, I’d watch to make sure he was getting the hang of eating, as some hatchlings are a bit shy at first.

Juvenile Musk Turtles (6 months to 2 years)

As musk turtles grow, their metabolism slows slightly, but they still need frequent meals.

Feeding Frequency: 4-5 times a week
Diet: You can start introducing more variety, with a mix of live foods (worms, crickets), turtle pellets, and some leafy greens (though they’ll still prefer meat). You can also try small pieces of fish or freeze-dried shrimp.
Portion: Feed enough that they can eat within 10-15 minutes, but don’t overfeed, as this can lead to obesity.

At this stage, I remember how quickly my turtle would snap up food—he definitely had favorites like worms, and I’d try to rotate foods for variety.

Adult Musk Turtles (2+ years)

Adult musk turtles don’t need to eat as often as babies or juveniles. Their growth slows, and they’re less active, so overfeeding can lead to health issues like obesity or shell deformities.

Feeding Frequency: 2-3 times a week
Diet: Their diet should now be a good balance between animal protein and plant matter. They’ll enjoy earthworms, snails, and occasional fish. Continue with turtle pellets and supplement with leafy greens like romaine lettuce or aquatic plants. As adults, they’ll eat more plant matter compared to when they were younger.
Portion: The same rule applies—feed as much as they can eat in about 15-20 minutes. Always clean up uneaten food to keep the water clean.

I found that by this age, my turtle had a pretty clear feeding routine. He knew when it was feeding day and would get active in the water, waiting for his meal.

Musk Turtle Not Eating: Why?

If your musk turtle isn’t eating, there could be several reasons why. Here’s a breakdown of common causes and what to look out for:

1. Temperature Issues

Musk turtles are sensitive to their environment, and temperature plays a big role in their appetite. If the water is too cold, their metabolism slows down, making them less interested in eating.

Water temperature: Should be around 75-80°F (24-27°C) for adults and slightly warmer for hatchlings.

Basking spot: The basking area should be between 85-90°F (29-32°C).

When my turtle wouldn’t eat, adjusting the water heater to the right temperature usually got him back on track.

2. Stress

Turtles can get stressed in new environments, after a recent move, or when their tank setup changes. Stress makes them less likely to eat.

New surroundings: If you just got your turtle, give them time to adjust.

Tank setup: Make sure the habitat is comfortable with hiding spots and proper lighting.

3. Illness

A turtle that suddenly stops eating might be sick. Respiratory infections, parasites, or shell problems can affect their appetite.

Signs of illness: Look for other symptoms like lethargy, wheezing, or cloudy eyes. If you notice these, a vet visit is a good idea.

4. Food Preferences

Sometimes turtles just get picky or bored with the same food.

Mix it up: Try offering different foods like earthworms, snails, or a new type of pellet. My turtle loved live worms, but would sometimes ignore pellets if I didn’t rotate them.

5. Shedding or Hibernation Mode

If your turtle is shedding its scutes (shell pieces) or preparing to hibernate (brumate), it might eat less.

Brumation: Musk turtles slow down in colder months, so they might naturally eat less or stop eating altogether.

How Long Can Musk Turtles Go Without Food?

Musk turtles can go without food for quite some time, but it depends on their age, health, and environment.

Healthy Adult Musk Turtles

Adult musk turtles can go up to 2-3 weeks without eating, especially if they’re healthy and in a well-maintained environment. They’re cold-blooded, so their metabolism slows down, allowing them to survive longer periods without food.

Factors: This is more likely if the water temperature is lower, as their metabolism naturally slows. However, it’s not ideal to let them go that long, so try to resume feeding as soon as possible.

Juvenile and Baby Musk Turtles

Younger turtles (babies and juveniles) shouldn’t go more than a few days without eating, as they need food more frequently to support their growth. Typically, after about 3-5 days, it can start to negatively impact their health.

Factors: Hatchlings especially rely on regular meals for energy and development.

Special Situations: Brumation (Hibernation)

If a turtle is brumating (a form of hibernation), they can naturally go without food for months. Their metabolism slows to the point where they don’t need much energy.

Temperature: During colder months, if the water temperature drops, they may enter this state and stop eating altogether.

When my turtle didn’t eat for about a week during a temperature drop, I learned that cooler conditions naturally reduce their appetite. But once I adjusted the water temperature, he was back to normal.

Do Musk Turtles Need Supplements?

Yes, musk turtles do benefit from supplements, especially if they’re kept in captivity. Supplements help ensure they get all the necessary nutrients, especially if their diet isn’t varied enough. Here’s a breakdown of what they might need:

Calcium

Importance: Calcium is crucial for their shell and bone health.
How to Provide: You can dust their food with calcium powder a few times a week. Also, offering cuttlebone in their tank gives them a natural calcium source that they can nibble on.

When I had my turtle, I used calcium powder regularly, especially since it’s hard to get enough calcium just from food alone in captivity.

Vitamin D3

Importance: Vitamin D3 helps them absorb calcium properly. Without it, they might develop metabolic bone disease.
How to Provide: You can find calcium supplements that already include D3, or make sure they have access to UVB lighting in their tank, which helps their body produce D3 naturally. A good UVB bulb is essential for their overall health.

Multivitamins

Importance: Sometimes, turtles don’t get all the vitamins they need from their diet alone, especially if their diet is heavy in just pellets.
How to Provide: A reptile multivitamin powder can be sprinkled on their food once a week to cover any gaps.

While supplements are helpful, it’s still best to offer a varied diet of live foods, greens, and high-quality pellets to ensure your turtle gets what it needs naturally. Supplements should just be a backup, not the primary source.

Can Musk Turtles Eat Fruits And Vegetables?

Musk turtles can eat certain vegetables, but fruits should be given sparingly, if at all.

Their diet in the wild is primarily carnivorous, with a focus on protein-rich foods like insects, small fish, and aquatic invertebrates.

However, some vegetables can be introduced occasionally, while fruits are not a natural part of their diet and can upset their digestion due to high sugar content.

Here’s a table showing what vegetables and fruits are safe, and which to avoid:

Category	Safe for Musk Turtles	Avoid
Vegetables	– Romaine lettuce	– Spinach (high in oxalates)
	– Collard greens	– Rhubarb (toxic)
	– Dandelion greens	– Kale (can block calcium absorption)
	– Carrot tops (in moderation)	– Iceberg lettuce (low nutrients)
	– Zucchini (chopped)
Fruits	– Occasional berries (very small amounts)	– Citrus fruits (too acidic)
	– Apple (very small, seedless pieces)	– Grapes (high sugar)
	– Melon (rare, small piece)	– Bananas (high sugar)
		– Mango (too sugary)