Red footed tortoises are predominantly herbivorous animals and feed opportunistically on grasses and flowers found in nature. Their diet should consist of high calcium greens, fruits, vegetables and some animal proteins for proper development.
At number six on our Redfoot Tortoise Foods List is dandelion greens, easily available across most parts of the country and offering low oxalate levels and plenty of Vitamin C content.
Contents
Leafy Greens
Red footed tortoises are predominantly plant eaters but will occasionally consume animal proteins in the wild. To prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD), which results from an imbalance of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3, provide your tortoise with fresh fruits and vegetables regularly.
Tortoises need plenty of fresh, leafy greens in their diet; such as dandelion greens, mustard greens, endive and escarole are great sources. When selecting these leaves it’s best to limit kale and spinach intake as these contain high levels of oxalates which cause dehydration.
Spring mixes can also provide tortoises with essential nutrition and can serve as the base for adding other greens, while cactus pads provide a rich source of plant protein to add balance to their diet.
Fruits
Red footed tortoises are predominantly plant-feeding creatures, with some animal protein available from their surroundings. A 50/50 ratio between fruits and greens would provide optimal feeding.
Tortoises love fruits that contain high carotene levels, like watermelons, papayas, papaya guava and pineapples. Apples and grapes may also be enjoyed; however, the seeds should first be removed prior to feeding these items to your tortoise.
Keep in mind that feeding strictly vegetarian diets to tortoises could result in neurological issues like hind leg paralysis. Therefore, it’s wise to supplement their diet with small amounts of animal protein on an occasional basis; most experts advise once weekly as a maximum dose. It is also a must to provide them with an enclosure where they can hide away and relax during their naps – this can be created using anything from half terracotta plant pots or PVC pipes as a hide box.
Insects
Red Footed Tortoises require a diet composed of 60 percent dark leafy greens and vegetables, 15 percent fruits, and 10 percent animal proteins for optimal health. When selecting fruits for nutrition purposes, try to steer away from those high in sugar while always removing pits and seeds; raspberries, blackberries, strawberries are ideal. It is also good to feed turnip greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens endive Swiss chard parsley kale (turnips are good too!), pumpkin winter squash grated carrots sweet potatoes sweet potatoes crookneck squash zucchini etc; edible flowers such as hibiscus and Nasturtium plus edible flowers such as edible rose blossoms or leaves/flowers/prickly pear fruit can all make great meals!
Give them safe outdoor enclosures that offer shaded areas densely planted with vegetation. Because this species requires humid conditions, set up a mister or sprinkler to increase humidity in their habitat. Insufficient calcium, vitamin D3 and UVB lighting may lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD), with symptoms including lethargy, loss of appetite, soft shelled shellfish and tremors as symptoms of metabolic bone disease (MBD).
Pellets
Red footed tortoises are herbivorous animals in the wild, feeding on leaves, flowers, fungus and grasses for sustenance. Additionally, they consume some fruits, berries and carrion.
Feed them a variety of fresh high calcium greens, vegetables and fruit for optimal nutrition. Be sure to include dark leafy greens like kale, collards, mustards as well as spring mixes like watercress, bok choy and romaine; just avoid spinach which contains oxalates that bind calcium intake.
Add protein-rich food, such as low fat dry cat food or earthworms, to their diet daily, such as low-fat dry cat food. Also provide supplemental pelleted diet such as Mazuri tortoise diet or ZooMed forest tortoise diet several times each week (make sure no phosphates exist), to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD). Feed prickly pear fruits like papaya and mango.
Animal Protein
Red Footed Tortoises are omnivorous creatures and will eat just about anything they can find, including an occasional animal protein like high quality canned dog food, earthworms and pre-killed mice. Although some keepers opt to feed strictly vegetarian diets to their tortoises with enough supplementation, most find a more successful feeding plan including occasional animal proteins like canned dog food, earthworms or pre-killed mice to ensure optimal health for their tortoise.
When feeding fruit to your baby, make sure all pits and seeds have been removed (or non-toxic berries used instead). Also offer vegetables along with calcium with D3 supplement and multivitamin supplements to make sure that they receive essential vitamins and minerals in their diet.
Hatchling tortoises should be fed every day and adult tortoises once or twice weekly. All foods should be misted prior to consumption in order to stimulate an eating response and provide necessary hydration. Keeping an environment full of water available for drinking and soaking purposes helps maintain proper humidity levels in their environment.
