Tortoises have thick layers of skin which protect them from spines and thorns, while their specially adapted lips allow them to consume cacti without getting poked by any sharp branches.
Cacti are an excellent source of calcium, so offering two to three servings each week as food will support tortoise health. But remember to also provide other sources of nutrition.
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Cactus Pads
Cactus pads are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals for tortoises. Low in calories and chock full of calcium, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium iron zinc. Cacti pads may even add some flavor to their diet! Cacti pads make a delicious treat!
Russian tortoises may consume prickly pear cactus pads on occasion; however, this should only be done occasionally as their digestion can be challenging and they contain high concentrations of oxalates which could prevent absorption of other minerals.
Tortoises who consume too much cacti can suffer from dehydration, so it is vital that they get plenty of other greens and fruits as well. Many species of cacti are covered with spines; you must ensure these have been carefully removed prior to feeding it to your pet. Spineless varieties of Opuntia Cactus exist that will not harm a tortoise, while safe plants include Ice Plant, Dew Flower Cacti, Trailing Cacti, Sedum Cacti and Plantains (the plantains not the banana like fruit!). All these can easily grown in outdoor gardens or greenhouse environments!
Fruits
Russian tortoises in the wild consume a range of herbaceous and succulent vegetation such as grasses, flowers, cacti, hibiscus bushes, mulberry bushes and other plants; in addition to foraging for fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli.
Tortoises should be offered a diet consisting of fruits and weeds high in fiber, low in protein, rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamin A. A good source of water must also be available; tortoises should receive at least one shallow dish of clean water daily in which to soak and release their waste.
When purchasing a Russian tortoise from a reptile shop, make sure you ask about their reputation, environment and feeding regimen for their animals. Pelleted diets contain high levels of phytic acid which interferes with certain nutrients’ absorption into their bodies – this should be avoided!
Weeds
Russian tortoises consume a varied diet consisting of high fiber, low protein vegetables, grasses, weeds, succulents, flowers and fruit. Their captive diet should resemble their natural diet as closely as possible; therefore, the best foods should come from your backyard garden uncontaminated by any horticultural chemicals.
Some vegetables may not be beneficial to your tortoise, particularly those containing anti-nutrients such as oxalic acid (which binds calcium), goitrogens (which prevent the absorption of iodine), purines and tannins. The best options include collard greens, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens Swiss chard parsley watercress escarole and spinach which contain few anti-nutrients like these.
If you plan to feed your tortoise opuntia pads, choose those without spines as these could pose serious danger for both yourself and the tortoise. When handling them it is recommended to rub gently over fingers with an old sponge in order to get rid of spines from pads.
Other Foods
Tortoises live primarily off plant leaves and flowers from various plants as well as some fruits such as berries. Their diet usually does not consist of meat or sugary foods as these sources contain minimal nutrition.
Cactus pads of the Opuntia genus provide a rich source of fiber, but should only be fed sparingly to your pet. Before giving them to them, make sure you thoroughly wash and peel off any pesticides or chemicals; cut into suitable size pieces; remove thorns as these pose a choking hazard; rinse before giving as they could contain pesticide residues or be toxic if swallowed whole.
Tortoises should include in their diet an assortment of leafy greens as well as fiber-rich grasses such as timothy, orchard grass, and brome as sources of nourishment. Other healthy choices for tortoise diets are collard greens, turnip greens, kale, mustard dandelion greens escarole romaine Swiss chard. A tortoise’s diet should also contain edible plants like hibiscus rose petals clovers plantains as well as occasional fruits such as apples.
