General habits

• The eating habits of a turtle depend on its size, in addition to its species. The natural habitat of the turtle will also influence the eating habits. Young turtles mostly eat a carnivorous or protein based diet until adulthood when they become omnivores, according to the Turtleguidebook.com. Turtles also need a more varied diet than turtle food available at the pet store.
  
  

Herbivore

• Almost all tortoises eat a completely herbivore, or plant based, diet, according to Drfosterssmith.com. Mixed leafy greens comprise 90 percent of their diet. Flower heads, spinach, lettuce, dandelions and clover leaves should be included in a turtle's diet. The other 10 percent of tortoises' diet includes vegetables and fruits. Turtles should eat only small amounts of fruits because over eating sugar can lead to high sugar levels in the gut, causing health problems.
  
  

Carnivore

• Carnivore turtles eat a combination of meat components and vegetable components. Meat components for carnivore turtles compose the majority, or 65 to 90 percent of their diet. Turtles can eat live feeder fish, earthworms, snails and mollusks. Dandelion greens, clover and grated carrot can complement the rest of their dietary needs.
  
  

Omnivore

• Omnivores eat only 10 to 50 percent of meat components, which include live crickets, earth worms and commercial turtle food. In their dietary habits they also eat endive, dandelion greens and flower heads. Turtles particularly like lily and rose heads as well as tulips and pansies.
  
  

Hibernation Cycles

• There are more than 200 turtle species, each with special dietary needs.Turtle image by AJT from Fotolia.com
  
  Most turtles hibernate during the winter months, which affects their eating habits. During the summer months the turtle should eat sources of vitamin A which will deplete during hibernation. Dark leafy greens, alfalfa, orange fruits and vegetables and fish are good sources of vitamin A, according to Peteducation.com. The site says that toward the end of summer turtles should eat a high fiber diet, with weeds, grasses, hay and alfalfa. Two weeks prior to hibernation, food should be withheld, because the turtle should have an empty digestive system when he enters hibernation. Undigested food in the intestines can result in illness.