Flowers provide ample food sources for tortoises. Mulberry trees (Morus alba), in particular, produce fruits that stain patios and pathways yet make great snacks for tortoises.
Lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta) can often be found in bags of mixed salad and is one of the best leaves to feed to tortoises. Fruit-eating tortoises also enjoy occasional treats from pear slices if their pits have been removed first.
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Sunflowers
Sunflower leaves and seeds are safe for tortoises to eat, providing an added nutritional boost in their diets. Sunflower seeds make an excellent complement to a daily regimen consisting of dark leafy greens, cacti pads (which provide both hydration and nutrients), vegetables such as carrots and squash as well as fruits such as watermelons and strawberries.
Dandelions may be considered pesky weeds in many lawns, but Tortoises actually benefit greatly from eating dandelions as a tasty treat and providing additional vitamin A, calcium and magnesium sources to their diets.
Common culinary herbs such as fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), thyme (Thymus serpyllum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) contain edible flowers, while tortoises enjoy eating arugula, another popular salad green; however it’s best not to feed too often because its goitrogen content could lead to bladder or kidney stones in certain animals.
Dandelion
An annual perennial that can be grown both indoors or outdoors (in which case its leaves and flowers are safe for tortoises), milkweed is an ideal diet supplement, providing adequate amounts of vitamins C, A, K magnesium iron and calcium to your tortoise.
As part of a varied diet, feeding your tortoise aloe vera every 3-4 weeks should provide your tortoise with enough hydration and prevent diuretic properties that could impact its hydration status from overfeeding this plant.
Tortoise owners typically avoid this plant due to its potential to cause toxicity when overfed, leading to issues like digestive distress, blood clotting issues and even heart disease. Furthermore, it contains high concentrations of phytic acid which binds minerals and may lead to deficiencies if regularly consumed.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus leaves and flowers provide essential vitamins A, B, C and E as well as the riboflavin required for tortoises to process carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy while benefiting their skin, digestive tracts, blood cells and other vital organs.
Tortoises should be provided with different foods regularly so as to not become overly dependent on any one food item, thereby helping prevent nutritional deficiencies and keeping their diet interesting. It is also important to avoid certain foods like broccoli, kale and cauliflower which contain oxalic acid which inhibits calcium absorption; other vegetables that should be avoided include mustard greens, spinach and radishes as these contain high levels of phytic acid which binds minerals and may prove fatal for tortoises.
Bananas
Russian tortoises live in dry environments and should eat dark leafy greens regularly to prevent kidney issues and keep feces soft. Bananas provide plenty of fiber which aids with their formation and digestion – an excellent food choice to meet this need!
Tortoises that have become accustomed to eating plants should only consume fruits in moderation and focus on feeding on 70% weed flowering plants and other greens as food sources.
Before feeding tortoises any fruit, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian or reptile expert. Their diet depends on their age and species as well as digestive system needs; but fruits can provide essential vitamins and minerals as treats – bananas contain fat-soluble vitamin A but should only be given occasionally as too much can cause toxicity; deficient amounts may result in swelling eyelids, thickened skin layers or breathing issues resulting in poor health overall.
Cucumbers
Tortoises may show an affinity for cucumbers, but this food does not provide them with all of the required vitamins and nutrients for optimal health. Consuming too much cucumber alone could even be harmful; thus it’s essential they eat fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin A as well as other beneficial elements like minerals and fiber to ensure maximum wellbeing.
Cucumbers can be given to tortoises in small quantities but should only be given on occasion as an occasional treat. While cucumbers provide adequate hydration, their nutrition value for reptiles may not meet expectations and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio could be subpar.
Cucumbers can be filling, dissuading tortoises from eating other nutritious foods. Therefore, only provide cucumbers in moderation to ensure your tortoise’s diet contains all essential vitamins and minerals.
