Zoo database

Diamondback terrapin

Malaclemmys terrapin

Natural diet Diamondback terrapin

Diamondback terrapins are omnivorous feeders that opportunistically consume a variety of prey items, including small fish, crustaceans and shellfish. Next to this, they consume vegetation such as sea grasses and marsh plants.

Algae
Algae
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Leaves
Leaves

Feeding advice Diamondback terrapin

Feed quantity per day

2-5%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 0.3 kg and eats 4% of its body weight, it will get
 
0.3 x 0.04 = 0.01 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

60% Insects and other invertebrates
10% Concentrates
30% Leafy greens and cabbages

Proportions (fresh product)

0.6 x 0.01 kg = 7 g insects and other invertebrates
0.1 x 0.01 kg = 1 g concentrates
0.3 x 0.01 kg = 4 g leafy greens and cabbages

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of small fish/ crustaceans

Worms/snails

Pellets / gel

Variety of leafy vegetables

Not recommended

Fruits

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Vitamin E deficiency
  • Obesity
  • Shell deformities
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Bloating

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over one feeding moment per day.
  • Although diamondback terrapins live in brackish water, they require fresh water to stay hydrated.
  • Place food outside of the water, as their messy eating-style can affect water quality.
  • Feeding fruits might lead to might lead to gastro-intestinal disturbances because of the high sugar level and low fiber level in cultivated fruits compared to wild fruits (read more about nutritional values of (wild) fruits and vegetables).
  • Provide feed enrichment by placing food on logs and/or rocks (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).