Feeding Time

It’s always fun to watch animals eating, and the red-bellied cooter hatchlings are no exception.  Overwintering at NMLC as part of a MassWildlife headstart program to help the species recover, these endangered fresh-water turtles are fed a diet of red-leaf and romaine lettuce supplemented by “turtle vitamins” called ReptoMin®.  Food amounts are controlled and the animals’ weights and lengths are monitored weekly in order to help them grow, but not too quickly.  Volunteers clean the tanks daily, feed, and record amounts consumed.

This fall, Lucky Field Organics has been donating heads of organic red leaf and romaine lettuce.  We are grateful to this local organic farm for their generous donation.  And, as you can see, the young turtles love it!