The effects of dietary vitamin C on growth rates of juvenile slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Seventeen juvenile red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) were separated into two groups: one group received a diet that included vitamin C supplementation, the other group received a similar diet devoid of supplemental vitamin C. Overall body mass and carapace length were measured monthly for a period of 1 yr. No significant differences were observed between the growth rates of the two experimental groups, suggesting that dietary vitamin C is not essential for normal growth and development in juvenile red-eared slider turtles.