Do Turtles Eat Flies?

Is it safe for turtles to eat flies?

Perhaps you’re wondering whether to include them as part of their diet or maybe a fly got into your pet’s tank and you’re concerned because you saw them eat it.

We’ve put together this article, which should tell you what you need to know and put your mind at ease.

Do turtle eat flies? Yes, turtles can eat flies, and it’s unlikely to cause them harm. They are omnivores and eat both plants and animals. You can also feed them flies occasionaly as a snack. However, dont make it a daily habiat as some flies can carry parasites that can make your turtle sick.

Here are some clips of turtles eating flies

Flies as Part of a Turtle’s Diet

Insects will be part of some turtle’s natural diets. As we said, you may be here because you saw yours eat a fly in its tank. This shouldn’t come as a surprise.

They would do the same thing in the wild, and this is a regular sight for people who keep outdoor turtles.

They don’t have the same distaste for insects as we do. To them, they’re just another meal, and many report their turtles chowing down quite happily on them.

They may not be high on the list when it comes to things we would personally like to eat, but flies are actually quite nutritious.

A lot of turtles need protein-rich diets, and flies could be a source of it for them.

You wouldn’t want to try and make it their main source, though.

Are There Adverse Effects to Eating Flies?

So we know that eating flies can have its benefits for our turtles, but are there any downsides we need to be aware of?

One issue that was regularly mentioned during our research was the possibility of flies carrying diseases, parasites, and other contaminants.

These are insects that get around a lot and like to hang about the filthiest of places, and it’s normal to be concerned about the possibility of them transferring the contaminants to our pets.

Some types of flies have also developed a resistance to pesticides, so exposure doesn’t kill them, and they instead just become a means of spreading these chemicals around.

If you’re planning on catching insects yourself to feed to your turtle then this is something to keep in mind.

It’s unlikely that a fly every now and then would lead to problems, though, and despite people often warning about this, we could not find any testimonials of a turtle taking ill because of it.

We do recommend buying insects instead of catching them outside, just to be on the safe side.

Another potential issue comes not from the ingestion of flies but what they could do to your turtle from the outside.

Many people have mentioned that if a turtle is wounded, that wound could make an attractive place for a fly to lay its eggs.

This will lead to the poor thing becoming infested with maggots, and this isn’t just a turtle problem.

If you have any pets at all that are unfortunate enough to get injured, make sure their wounds are kept clean at all times, and if there are any signs of an infestation, then consult your vet as a matter of emergency.

Are There Types of Fly to Avoid? How About Other Insects?

We’ve established that flies and other insects can be part of a healthy turtle’s diet, but are there any that should be skipped?

Fireflies (though not technically flies themselves) are something that should not be fed to your turtle.

They may be pretty, but they can also be poisonous to your pet, so make sure they don’t get anywhere near them.

It should go without saying, but don’t give your turtle anything that can sting or bite—no wasps, bees, centipedes, or spiders for them.

You should keep insect-proof covers on your turtle’s habitat to make sure the only things getting in there are things you want to be in there.

As previously alluded to, you should not feed them insects from any area that you know is treated with chemicals and pesticides.

Do Turtles Attract Flies?

It’s amazing to think that turtles, those round, large reptiles that often seem frozen where they sit, oblivious to their surroundings, have been around since the middle Jurassic era.

They were much larger then, often measuring at 15 feet, but otherwise they haven’t changed all that much.

Like most things that have been around for 250 million years, they carry the stench of the past.

They have an odor unlike any other creature.

This bizarre smell has a tendency to attract flies and other bugs.

Fortunately, there are plenty of easy tricks to get rid of any curious insects.

One could easily use their curiosity against them, sending them into death traps.

Like the more diabolical killers in movies, you too can orchestrate evil little scenarios to eradicate the flies.

Here are some ways to get rid of flies attracted by your turtle.

Clean Your Tank

A lot of these tricks are centred around removing the turtle’s smell as much as possible from their living area.

This way, flies have less interest.

Clean your tank once every two weeks, or more frequently, to limit the number of flies that are attracted.

You may also consider putting a screen on your turtle’s tank and keeping it away from open windows and doors.

The screen will collect some of the flies that you can easily eliminate.

Killing the Flies

A standard flyswatter is always a great way to get rid of flies, but there are much easier, less proactive ways.

Putting strips of sticky paper around the tank will surely catch and eliminate them.

You can also get an empty, unclean jam jar, fill it two-thirds of the way with water and seal it with the lid.

Using a screwdriver, puncture several holes into the lid so the flies can get in, but they can never get out.

These are the easiest ways to reduce the attention flies pay to your turtle.

Conclusion

So if your turtle has eaten a fly, you can rest assured that they’ll be okay.

If you can be sure that they’re contaminant-free, you may even want to encourage them to eat more!

As icky as insects can be, they can be beneficial when it comes to feeding our turtles and keeping them healthy so you shouldn’t rule them out of your pet’s diet.

What Other Insects are Turtles Allowed to Eat?

A lot of the time, turtles will begin their lives as carnivores and then go on to eat more plants as they get older.

This is because young turtles require more protein to grow. Flies may be one way to give protein to them, but are there other insects that are even better options?

Black soldier fly larva can make for a good snack for your pet.

They’re one of the few which contain a reasonable amount of calcium, which is something a turtle needs for shell and bone development.

Also read – > Can Turtles Eat Ants?

Worms and mealworms are also recommended as good ways to provide protein, as well as snails, slugs, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.

Also read – > Can turtles crickets

Also Reac -> Do Turtles Eat Cockroaches?

There’s a chance you can buy insects to feed your turtle from your local pet store.

If not, then bait shops are another good option.

You can also buy dried mixtures online and have them delivered right to your door!