Desert tortoises play an integral part in their ecosystem by providing shelter for other animals as well as disseminating seeds through their droppings. Their most active days occur after seasonal rainstorms in spring.
Feed your tortoise an organic diet consisting of grasses, weeds, dark leafy vegetables and fruit in moderation as treats. Avoid feeding high protein diets which could cause shell and bone issues as well as kidney/bladder issues.
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Vegetables
Desert tortoises are omnivorous animals in their natural environment, feeding on grasses, flowers, berries, fruit, insects and carrion – even serving as seed dispersers! When kept as pets in captivity they should receive an array of vegetables, fruits and flowers in addition to being thoroughly washed before giving to your turtle.
Tortoises benefit from eating sprouts, endive, escarole, romaine lettuce and other dark leafy greens like kale, squash such as zucchini and carrots as a form of protein and calcium rich food sources. Soaked alfalfa pellets (rabbit chow) may also provide essential protein, calcium and fiber benefits.
Avoid spinach as it contains high concentrations of oxalates that bind calcium in its absorption by the body and block its absorption into bones and shells, necessitating limiting feedings of this food item. A balanced calcium/phosphorus ratio is crucial to your tortoise’s overall bone and shell health.
Fruits
Although your desert box turtle may primarily eat insects and colorful fruit, it’s still important to provide it with a wide range of plant-based food to ensure they receive all of the vitamins and minerals they require for a long and healthy life.
When hungry, desert box turtles bask in the sun before beginning their foraging expeditions. Their primary source of sustenance are beetles and carrion in cow dung but they will also search the ground for fruits such as berries, grasses, or cacti.
Young hatchlings and adolescents need frequent feedings of brightly-colored vegetables, insects, and fruits to stay healthy and develop correctly. Adult turtles can still benefit from receiving full meals every other day but should still receive healthy snacks such as fruits and veggies in moderation. Feed your turtle only premium commercial turtle food that provides adequate protein without too much added sugars and fats.
Seeds
Most fully grown plants produce seeds with food reserves for the next generation stored within them, enclosed within a seed coat. Seeds may be dispersed by wind, water or animals who consume them; some seeds feature hooks, barbs or sticky hairs that attach themselves to animal fur or feathers for easy dispersal; while some simply drift off in the air.
Reptile keepers should strive to offer their turtles a variety of foods, even when they appear uninterested in eating them. Offering various items may encourage even reluctant eaters to experiment with trying something new.
Desert box turtles scoot across their native Mojave ecosystem, providing shelter and seed dispersion when eating grasses and plants. As seed dispersers themselves, these turtles consume beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, cicadas, carrion and beetles before retiring for shelter under rocks or exhibits at dusk.
Weeds
Desert tortoises are herbivorous reptiles that require a low-fat, high fiber, moderate protein diet of plants, weeds, grasses and dark green vegetables grown inside or nearby the tortoise enclosure. Some foods can easily be found at your garden center while others must be grown specifically to sustain these animals.
Clovers (Trifolium) contain high amounts of protein and should make up 15% or less of a tortoise’s diet. Growing them does not require fertilizers; they thrive best in well-drained soil conditions.
Never feed tortoises meat, insects, dog/cat food or monkey biscuits as these sources of high-fat and protein can lead to kidney problems in tortoises. Instead, soak indoor tortoises for 15-30 minutes at least two or three times weekly in shallow warm water in order to encourage drinking and clear their bladders of any waste material; outdoor tortoises should spend at least an hour or two daily basking in sunlight so as to hydrate and soak up UVB rays from sunlight rays.
Eggs
The desert tortoise (commonly referred to as the Mojave tortoise) is the largest land turtle in the United States and an integral component of western Mojave Desert ecosystem, providing shelter to other animals while dispersing seeds as they dig for sustenance. Their diet includes grass, flowers, fruits, insects, weeds and carrion.
Baby and growing adolescents require frequent, higher protein meals while adult boxies generally eat fewer plants but more frequently. Take your boxie’s activity level and body condition into consideration to tailor its diet.
Avoid feeding meat, dog and cat food, monkey biscuits and other high-protein treats as these could lead to metabolic bone disease as well as kidney/bladder issues in turtles living indoors. Indoor caged turtles will benefit from an indoor calcium carbonate supplement without phosphorous for healthy shell and bone development.
