Do Turtles Eat Frogs? [Complete Answer]

If you’re bringing home a turtle as a pet, there are a few things you need to know about their dietary needs. First, different types of turtles have different needs and likes. Some are herbivores, some are omnivores, while others are more carnivorous.

So, Do Turtles Eat Frogs? In this article, we’ll answer that question and more. We’ll discuss which turtles eat frogs and whether or not there are some frogs who like to eat turtles. Also, we’ll share some tips on how to get your turtle not to eat frogs and also whether they can live in harmony together or not.

Do Turtles Eat Frogs?

The answer to this question is a little complicated. Yes, turtles eat frogs, but not every turtle can eat frogs.

There are many different species of turtle. In fact, there are over 300 species known today. However, not all of these turtles are the same, which goes for their diets.

For instance, some turtles are strict vegetarians while others are carnivores. However, most turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both plant-based food and meat.

So, the answer to whether or not turtles eat frogs depends on the species of turtle. Every turtle has a different beak or jaw, allowing them to eat certain foods depending on how well they chew.

For example, vegetation is more accessible to chew than smaller animals.

So, if you want to know whether turtles can eat frogs or not, you’ll need to know the exact species of turtle you want to know about. 

Do Snapping Turtles Eat Frogs?

Yes, Snapping Turtles can eat frogs. This particular species of turtle is a freshwater turtle, and they are the most vicious type of turtle. So, they have a varied diet, such as:

• Worms
• Snails
• Insect larvae
• Aquatic insects
• Crustaceans
• Water plants
• Algae
• Some fruits

They’re also big and strong enough to small mammals. So, for example, a Snapping Turtle can eat frogs in addition to snakes, fish, and other small turtles.

Also, there are different kinds of snapping turtles, such as the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the Common Snapping Turtle. Both of these turtles will eat frogs.

Which Turtles Eat Frogs?

Not all types of turtles will eat frogs. However, there are a select few that will if they can get to the frogs.

Watch this video: Do Turtles Eat Frogs?

For a quick look, here’s a brief list of the turtles that can and will eat frogs:

• Painted Turtles
• Box Turtles
• Eastern Box Turtles
• Pond Turtles
• Some Sea Turtles
• Map Turtles
• Red Eared Sliders
• Musk Turtles
• Snapping Turtles

Do Painted Turtles Eat Frogs?

Yes, Painted Turtles will eat frogs. Young Painted Turtles are more carnivorous than adults. So, they’ll eat frogs, but it’s not a major part of their diet. They’ll prefer small fish, smaller animals, or insects.

Find our full guide to what painted turtles eat here.

Do Box Turtles Eat Frogs?

Yes, Box Turtles will eat anything they can get to. This includes frogs and other amphibians.

Do Eastern Box Turtles Eat Frogs?

Eastern Box Turtles also eat frogs. In fact, they’ll eat insects, snails, roots, fungi, and the rotting flesh of other animals. If they can, they’ll even eat smaller animals and small birds.

Do Aquatic Turtles Eat Frogs?

Most freshwater turtles will eat frogs. Sea turtles, on the other hand, will vary. Some can eat frogs with their strong jaws, while others will prefer different food.

For example, pond turtles will eat frogs. Leatherback turtles from the ocean, on the other hand, only eat jellyfish aside from vegetation.

Do Map Turtles Eat Frogs?

Map Turtles will eat frogs if they can find them. However, they’ll eat just about anything, including insects, fish, and mice.

Do Red Eared Sliders Eat Frogs?

Frogs aren’t a staple diet for Red Eared Sliders. However, they will eat frogs if they can fit them into their mouths.

Do Musk Turtles Eat Frogs?

If the frog is smaller than them, then yes. Musk Turtles will view frogs as protein and eat them.

What Types Of Frogs Can Turtles Eat?

Unfortunately, there are poisonous frogs that can harm or kill your turtle if eaten. So, you’ll want to be careful about which frogs you feed your turtles.

In the wild, most turtles can’t distinguish between a frog that’s toxic to them and frogs that are not. So, sadly, they’ll eat any frog they find, and sometimes it backfires on them.

A Quick Word About Wild Dart Frogs

This type of frog should be kept away from your turtle. Not only are they poisonous if eaten, but they also produce toxins from their skin.

If your turtle gets too close, it could potentially get sick or killed just by being close to the frog.

However, these frogs eat certain foods in the wild that make them toxic to predators. If kept in captivity, you control the Dart Frog’s diet. Thus, they won’t be toxic to your turtle.

Still, it’s best to stay away from them just in case.

Types Of Frogs Safe For Turtles To Eat

Once again, most turtles will eat any kind of frog they see. They don’t care what type it is. They’ll eat it if they can fit it into their mouth.

So, here’s a quick list of the type of frogs that are safe (not toxic) for your turtle to eat:

• Burmese Chubby
• African Dwarf
• American Frog
• Bumble Bee
• Gray Tee
• American Green Tree
• Oriental Fire Bellied
• Pacman (Horned Frogs)
• Amazon Milk

Will Turtles Eat Bullfrogs?

Most likely not. A Snapping Turtle is large and strong enough to eat a bullfrog. However, most other turtles are smaller than bullfrogs, so that they won’t hunt them down.

Will Turtles Eat Baby Frogs?

Yes, turtles will eat baby frogs. However, turtles are predators, and they don’t care whether a frog is an adult or a baby.

However, they might be more prone to eating baby frogs rather than adults because babies are an easier target.

Will Turtles Eat Toads?

Toads are, in fact, different from frogs. Frogs have longer legs and hop to get around. Toads have shorter legs and will crawl rather than hop.

Turtles can’t tell the difference, though. So, they will eat toads if they find them in the wild.

Unfortunately, toads are toxic to turtles. If a turtle eats a toad, then it’ll most likely get seriously sick, resulting in death.

Do Frogs Eat Turtles?

Most frogs are smaller than turtles, so no. They wouldn’t eat turtles.

However, there are some frogs, such as the Bullfrog, that can grow bigger than some turtle species. Bullfrogs can be ruthless, and if they find a baby turtle or an adult turtle that’s smaller than them, they’ll certainly go after the turtle and eat it. 

Can Frogs Eat Turtle Food?

No, frogs cannot eat turtle food, no matter how big or small they are. Most frogs are carnivores and will eat food that’s moving. They typically enjoy insects. 

Can Turtles Live With Frogs?

So, can turtles and frogs live together?

No, frogs cannot live with turtles. If you want your turtle to hunt for their food, you can undoubtedly put a frog inside their tank. However, the poor frog won’t last too long as the turtle will get to it quickly.

Also, turtles prefer to live alone. So, do turtles and frogs get along? Most likely not. Even if you have a turtle that doesn’t particularly like to eat frogs, they’ll most likely kill the frog anyway. 

How To Stop Turtles Eating Frogs

The best way to keep your turtle from eating frogs is to keep the two of them away from each other.

Most turtles enjoy snacking on a frog. Also, they like to be alone. So, if they find a frog in their terrarium, they’ll try to eat it or at least kill it.

In addition, if the frog is bigger than your turtle, then the frog might try to eat your turtle. So, you’ll want to keep an eye on the two of them if they’re in close proximity to each other.

Alternatively, if you truly want to keep the two of them together, you’ll need to make sure they both have their own space. Change the water frequently as well.

If your turtle and your frog have their own area of the tank, they may leave each other alone.

Also, make sure both of them are well-fed through other means. For example, give them other protein or live food. That way, your turtle won’t crave the frog. 

Conclusion

So, will a turtle eat a frog? The short answer is yes. Turtles do eat frogs. However, it depends on the type of turtle and how strong their jaw is to chew the frog.

Depending on the turtle you have at home, you can feed your turtle live food such as insects to keep their protein up. You can also give them small frogs to eat, but there are more accessible options for you to feed them.

Click here to learn if turtles can eat fish, here for broccoli and here to find out if they should eat mealworms . You can learn more about turtles here or find out if turtles eat other turtles here.