African spurred tortoises (sulcatas) should eat mostly grass and grass hay, with safe weeds and leafy greens added. Fruit, grains, and anything high in protein should be rare or skipped.
What Sulcatas Eat in the Wild
Sulcatas live in the dry Sahel region of Africa, where they graze on tough, fibrous grasses, plus some succulents and the occasional flower. They are among the largest tortoises on land, and adults can top 100 pounds, so a captive diet has to be high in fiber and low in rich foods.
The Core of the Diet: Grass and Hay
Aim for roughly 70 to 80 percent of the diet to come from grasses and grass hay.
- Fresh grass: Pesticide-free lawn grass, Bermuda, fescue, orchard grass and similar.
- Grass hay: Timothy, orchard grass or Bermuda hay, available all day. Softer second-cut hay is easier to chew.
- Pellets: A grass-based tortoise pellet can be a small part of the diet, soaked first. See our guide to large tortoise food.
Greens and Weeds to Add
Rotate a mix of safe leaves and weeds through the week:
- Dandelion greens and flowers
- Plantain weed (the leafy kind, not the banana)
- Clover, mulberry leaves and hibiscus leaves and flowers
- Spineless prickly pear pads, which also supply moisture
- Collard, mustard and turnip greens in moderation
Go easy on kale, spinach and chard. They are high in oxalates, which bind calcium, so they work better as an occasional food. Our calcium-rich foods for tortoises guide explains which greens help the most.
What to Limit or Avoid
- Fruit: Too much sugar upsets the gut. Offer a small piece only as an occasional treat. See what fruits tortoises can eat.
- Beans, lentils, grains and seeds: Too much protein and starch, which can contribute to shell overgrowth and kidney strain.
- Animal protein and dog or cat food: Not appropriate for a grass eater.
- Treated or sprayed plants: Never feed lawn clippings or weeds that may have been treated with chemicals.
Calcium, Sunlight and Water
Calcium and UVB light work together. Lightly dust food with a calcium supplement without phosphorus a few times a week for growing tortoises, and make sure your tortoise gets real sunlight or a good UVB lamp. Without UVB, calcium cannot be used properly and shells can become soft or lumpy. Provide a shallow dish of fresh water, and soak young tortoises regularly.
How Much and How Often
Hatchlings and juveniles eat daily. Adults graze most of the day if they have grass available. A tortoise that is growing very fast or developing a pyramided shell is usually getting too much protein or too little fiber, humidity or UVB.
Bottom Line
Build the diet on grass and grass hay, add safe weeds and a few greens, keep fruit rare, and pair calcium with proper UVB. If your tortoise stops eating, has a soft shell or swollen eyes, call a reptile-savvy vet.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to a reptile vet about your tortoise’s specific needs.
