When I first got my tortoise one thing I struggled with was his diet. I was afraid of feeding him something that could potentially harm him, which is why I researched for years to make sure he was getting the right nutrition. Helping other curious tortoise owners was the main reason behind starting this website, as it would’ve been beneficial to me.
Can tortoises eat worms? Tortoises are primarily herbivores meaning they eat foods like flowers, plants, and vegetables. Some species of tortoise are omnivores which make worms a possibility in their diet. As worms are high in protein they should be fed in moderation as excess protein is known to cause shell and kidney problems in tortoises.
In this article we’re going to cover which worms tortoises can eat, why worms can be bad for tortoises, and some other important things so continue reading!
Do Tortoises Eat Worms?
Not all species of tortoise will eat worms as the majority of them are herbivores. This means the bulk of their diet is comprised of greens like vegetables, plants, and flowers.
African tortoises such as the Sulcata or Leopard species won’t show any interest in worms as they are unable to digest them, if they were to eat one they would face digestive problems.
However there are omnivore species of tortoise such as the Red-footed tortoise, animal protein is included in their diet and it should make up around 15% of it.
Worms are very high in vitamins and minerals which tortoises can benefit from, we’ll cover them in the next section.
Benefits Of Worms For Tortoises
100 grams of beetle larvae contains the following nutritional information :
| Calories | 155 |
| Protein | 21g |
| Fat | 19g |
| Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Fiber | 25% (DV) |
Calcium
If you’ve been a tortoise owner for any amount of time you should know how important calcium is for their health. It’s needed to protect their shell, bones, and contributes to female egg health. A lack of calcium can cause life-threatening problems for tortoises such as metabolic bone disease.
Thankfully, worms are a great source of calcium for tortoises to enjoy. However you shouldn’t rely on one type of food to meet your tortoises calcium requirements. Other things like dandelions, kale, collard greens, and spinach are all great sources of calcium.
Some owners also like to sprinkle a calcium supplement onto their tortoises meals to ensure they get enough of it.
Manganese
Manganese and calcium go hand in hand as it helps calcium to be absorbed and used in the body more effectively. It’s also known for helping your tortoise form bone tissue, metabolizing fats and carbohydrates along with being needed for brain and nerve function.
Copper
Worms can help your tortoise fight off infection due to the copper present in it. Copper can benefit your tortoises immune system, making them able to resist foreign bacteria better.
Copper is also beneficial for :
- Creating red blood cells
- Protecting cells from damage
- Forms collagen to create bone and tissue
- Increasing bone strength and density which is vital for tortoises
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are other healthy sources of copper you can feed to your tortoise.
Fiber
A tortoises diet should consist of high fiber, which makes worms a suitable addition to their diet. Tortoises need fiber for digestive health and function. As a result food will pass through their digestive system more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of constipation.
Fiber can help with weight maintenance too, if you have a tortoise that is very sedentary and likes to eat feeding them fiber will help control their weight. This is because foods high in fiber are typically very filling reducing the chances of overeating.
Protein
Lastly, worms contain a healthy dose of protein. A nutrient that can be a double-edged sword for tortoises. On the positive side protein is essential for muscle development and maintenance in tortoises, as well as helping them create antibodies.
However too much protein can cause health problems for tortoises which we’ll cover in the next section.
Why Are Worms Bad For Tortoises?
You can feed your tortoise too much of anything and it would be bad for them, worms are no different. They don’t pose any life-threatening problems for tortoises, however there are a few things you should know before introducing them to your tortoise.
- High in protein
- High in fat
High In Protein
Worms are a great source of protein, however tortoises don’t have a nutritional requirement for a lot of protein. They can get sufficient protein through leaves, vegetables, and greens. Higher protein foods tend to cause a few problems for them.
Shell problems like pyramiding is known to be caused by excess protein, among a few other factors. Shell pyramiding is when a tortoises scutes begin to grow abnormally, forming a pyramid shape. Pyramiding can lead to a lack of mobility, difficulty walking, and even paralysis if it isn’t treated.
It occurs as protein triggers rapid growth, enabling the shell to grow faster and abnormally. Feeding your tortoise some worms now and again isn’t likely to be enough to cause pyramiding, but you should keep an eye on how much protein they eat.
Other high protein foods include meat, eggs, nuts, and lentils.
High In Fat
Worms also contain a high amount of food, which tortoises don’t need a lot of in their diet. As they’re usually herbivores, fat should be kept to a minimum.
If fed the wrong foods tortoises can become fat which leads to a number of health issues such as :
- Fatty deposits building up around the neck and legs
- Inability to retract into their shell
- Extra strain on muscles, joints, and bones
For a tortoise to become fat the owner has to drastically get their diet wrong, along with neglect them when it comes to movement and exercise.
Can Tortoises Eat Mealworms?
| Dried Mealworm | Live Mealworm |
| 53% protein | 20% protein |
| 28% fat | 13% fat |
| 6% fiber | 2% fiber |
| 5% moisture | 62% moisture |
Mealworms aren’t the best option to feed tortoises due to the thick outer shell they have. Research has also suggested that tortoises may struggle to digest mealworms, meaning they could pass through the tortoises system undigested.
This can lead to malnutrition as your tortoise won’t actually be receiving the nutrients in the worms. Mealworms should be off the menu especially for baby tortoises due to their thick shell a small tortoise would have difficulty eating one.
Can Tortoises Eat Wax Worms?
Wax worms are the caterpillar larvae of wax moth, they are soft skinned and easier to digest than mealworms. They look a yellow-white colour and have a black/brown head tip.
Wax worms are a better choice to feed your tortoise, but as they tend to be high in calories and fat they aren’t the healthiest choice. I would recommend feeding them up to once a week, moderation is important with anything in your tortoises diet, worms are no different.
Ensure your tortoise is getting enough exercise if you feed them wax worms, we don’t want them getting fat.
Can Tortoises Eat Nightcrawlers?
Nightcrawlers are a group of earthworms that feed above the ground at night. They are the most common type of bait used for fishing, some reptile owners like to use them as food too.
They are quite a large type of worm, so a baby tortoise might have some problems with eating one. However apart from that nightcrawlers are a safe type of worm to feed tortoises. Nightcrawlers are easily found too, you can find them in your yard or buy them in bulk at a pet store.
Can Tortoises Eat Red Wigglers?
Red wigglers are very similar to nightcrawlers, they are a safe type of worm for tortoises to eat and are easily identified by their significant red, thin appearance.
How Often Should You Give Worms To Your Tortoise?
They to a tortoises nutrition is to ensure they get a well-balanced diet, foods low in fat and protein, with plenty of greens like vegetables and plants. A couple of worms won’t harm your tortoise but there is a point where too many worms can negatively impact your tortoise.
The amount of worms you can give your tortoise depends on a few factors such as :
- The age of your tortoise
- The species of your tortoise
- The size of your tortoise
A general recommendation is that you give your tortoise worms up to twice per week. They should be given as part of a well-balanced diet rich in calcium to enable growth along with bone and shell health.
Like any other food, worms shouldn’t become a staple in a tortoises diet, you shouldn’t rely on one type of food as it can lead to malnutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Baby Tortoises Eat Worms?
Getting your tortoises nutrition right when they are under two years old is vital, during this time they are growing and thus susceptible to pyramiding and other shell problems.
Baby tortoises can eat worms if they belong to an omnivorous species, such as the Red-footed tortoises. Worms are a great source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, protein, zinc, and amino acids that baby tortoises can benefit from.
As worms are high in protein and fat you should limit how much you give to your baby tortoise.
Worms For Tortoises – Final Thoughts
Worms can be an addition to your tortoises diet if they belong to an omnivores species like the Red or Yellow-footed tortoise. Not all tortoises will eat animal protein out in the wild and therefore have little interest in worms.
For species that do eat them they can be a great source of calcium for bone and shell health, as well as providing other essential vitamins and minerals.
Tortoises can safely eat wax worms, nightcrawlers, and red wigglers. We recommend you avoid feeding mealworms to your tortoise as they may not be able to digest them.
Remember, feed worms to your tortoise sparingly as they are high in protein and fat which can cause health problems for your tort!
