Diet & feeding of Pelomedusa subrufa, African helmeted turtle

Turtle Pudding / Turtle Gelatin
- turtle pudding is a convenient method of
ensuring that your turtles are receiving a varied
diet.

I cannot take credit for the creation of this diet
(modified from Oliver Römpp's) though I will share
with you my omnivore version of the recipe.

This version is readily consumed by Pelusios castaneus,
Pelusios c. castanoides, Chrysemys p. marginata,
Cistoclemmys flavomarginata, Cuora amboinensis, Apalone s.
hartwegi, Kinosternon baurii, Graptemys pseudogeographica,
Pelomedusa s. subrufa, & Pelomedusa s. olivacea.

Ingredients:
3 Boxes of Gelatin (12 packets)
0.47 liters (2 cups) cold water
1 tablespoon Rep-Cal Herptivite
1 tablespoon Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3

87 g (3.1 oz) Escarole
23 g (0.8 oz) Red Leaf Lettuce

117 g (4.1 oz) Tomatoes [2 small]
160 g (5.6 oz) Strawberries [6]
83 g (2.9 oz) Banana [1]
109 g (3.9 oz) Apple [1]
187 g (6.6 oz) Mango [1/2]
88 g (3.1 oz) Cantaloupe
60 g (2.1 oz) Carrot [8 baby]

34 g (1.2 oz) Dandelion greens
34 g (1.2 oz) Grape leaves

137g (4.8 oz) shrimp - uncooked
84 g (3.0 oz) Rainbow trout
1 egg

Step 1: Pour 0.47 liters (two cups) of cold water in a large
pot. Slowly stir in the twelve packets of gelatin and set aside
for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Carefully combine the fruits & vegetables in the food
processor and pour the mix into a separate pot until everything
has been blended.

Step 3: Carefully combine the egg, shrimp, and fish together in
the food processor. Mix in with the fruits and vegetables.

Step 4: Slowly bring both pots to 40 °C (104° F) then remove
from heat.

Step 5: Add the vitamin & mineral powders and
fruit/vegetable/fish mixture to the gelatin. Once thoroughly
mixed pour into tins and allow to cool before covering and
placing in the freezer.

Produces ten 162 g (5.7 oz) containers of turtle pudding.

Resources:
The links below will help guide you (as they did me) in the researching and formulating of your own turtle pudding recipes.

Chelodina.com
This includes Oliver Römpp's carnivore recipe for Chelodina. Many thanks go out to him for taking the time to share his
very detailed instructions!

Tortoise Trust
Tortoise Trust has a wealth of information pertaining to the dietary needs of turtles and tortoises. Plan on committing a
couple of hours to read through the materials as this is time well spent. You may even consider picking up a copy of the
Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual.

The World Chelonian Trust - Husbandry Articles
Once again be prepared to read through this wealth of information, though I might suggest one resource in particular:
Nutrient Analysis of Replacement Turtle and Tortoise Foods - Darrell M. Senneke

Articles:

European Zoo Nutrition Centre:
Dietary Requirements of Asian turtles - focuses on the in-situ diet of Cuora amboinensis and Heosemys spinosa.
Excellent report however you need to sign up for membership to request a PDF copy of the article if you wish to view the
tables referenced.
Dietary requirements of Asian turtles - data table for ex-situ feeding of Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Heosemys grandis &
Orlitia Borneensis referenced in the prior study.

Asian Turtle Conservation Network: Special Report on Vietnam Turtle Diets

Evolution of Diets for Herbivorous and Omnivorous Reptiles at the Philadelphia Zoo: From Mystery Toward Science

Internationale Schildkröten Vereinigung (in German)
If you don't speak German try a translation site like Yahoo's Babel Fish.

Captive Diet:

Newly acquired specimens can prove to be a challenge when it comes to feeding as Pelomedusa can be shy eaters and may
not eat outside of their enclosure. It is strongly recommended that all attempts are made to feed in a seperate container to
help reduce the biomass load on the filter and frequency of water changes.

Because Pelomedusa are carnivorous, even the most reluctant feeders respond enthusiastically to live prey including night
crawlers, crickets, minnows as well as pinky & fuzzy mice. Once they start feeding many will accept commercially available
diets including Mazuri, Aquamax (carnivore), Reptomin and Nasco turtle brittle. Pelomedusa will also feed readily on turtle
pudding, a homemade gelatin mix described below. Sinking food induces the greatest feeding response in newly acquired
specimens as it simulates prey falling into the water and should be offered in small bite sized pieces. The rationale for doing
this is that turtles are more likely to strike at and consume small quantities of new food items.

If a specimen shows little interest in the new food item try to offer a familiar food or live prey (earthworms); they are more
likely to bite at a new item if they are in an excited feeding state.