Are you looking for a new, interesting food for your tortoise to try? Maybe earthworms will tick all the boxes for your pet. These wriggly, writhing worms are packed with vitamins and minerals that can only be good for them.
If you’re thinking of feeding your tortoise some earthworms, you need to know that yes, tortoises can eat them and enjoy the benefits!
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What Are Earthworms?
Earthworms are soft, long, segmented worms that live in dirt and soil. There are thousands of different species of earthworms around the world, but the most common ones that you will find are the night crawler, the red wrigglers, and the common earthworm.
Earthworms are a favorite food source for many different types of animals including tortoises. They are also eaten by humans, particularly in Asia where they are a delicacy.
Health Benefits Of Worms For Tortoises
Earthworms are incredibly nutritious and high in protein. They also contain vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins.
Worms are often fed to animals such as chickens and rabbits as they are an excellent source of protein and energy.
The high protein content of worms means that tortoises will be getting all of the essential amino acids that they need from their diet. This will help to keep them healthy and strong.
As tortoises spend a lot of time in the dirt, worms are a great way to get nutrients into them. This will help to make sure that your tortoise stays healthy and strong.
Is It Safe To Feed Your Tortoise Live Earthworms?
As part of a healthy diet, live worms are actually really good for tortoises. They are packed full of nutrients and are really good for their digestive health.
However, there are some things to avoid when feeding live worms to your tortoise.
If you have a wild caught tortoise it is best not to feed them worms as they may have been infected with parasites. This could be harmful for your pet.
It is also not good to feed your tortoise worms that have been out in the sun for too long or that have been kept in hot storage. The heat will kill off the good bacteria inside them and this can be harmful for your tortoise.
This can be very dangerous and can cause an infection.
Can Tortoises Eat Dried Earthworms?
Earthworms are not just available fresh, you can also buy them dried and preserved. Dried earthworms are a great source of calcium and other minerals that your tortoise will need.
Feeding them dried worms is great for their digestive health as it will help to keep their gut system healthy. Dried worms are a really good food to feed tortoises that are recovering from an illness or injury, or that are growing very slowly.
What Tortoises Should Eat?
When it comes to feeding tortoises, they should eat a high fibre/low protein diet. This is because tortoises are herbivores, meaning that they get all of their energy from plant material.
Tortoises should eat lots of fresh greens, weeds, and flowers. Dried worms are a great treat for tortoises and should be fed to them at least a couple of times a week. You can also feed them fresh lettuce, cabbage leaves, and other types of greens.
Conclusion
Earthworms are a great food to feed your tortoise. They will help to keep them strong and healthy by providing them with essential vitamins and minerals.
If you choose to feed your tortoise earthworms, you can either buy worms that are designed to be eaten by animals, or you can dig up worms from the ground. If you’re looking for a new food to try with your tortoise, earthworms are a great option.
They are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that will keep your tortoise healthy and strong.
