Tortoises require a wide variety of food to thrive in captivity. It’s essential that any toxic plants be identified and avoided, particularly those containing oxalic acid (which blocks calcium absorption). Rhubarb, berries and some evergreens should be excluded as these contain substances with potential risks to health.
Home prepared diets can be varied by adding alfalfa sprouts, dandelion greens, turnip greens, mustard greens and romaine lettuce (not iceberg). Other ingredients such as hay and low-fat fruit treats such as figs bananas and strawberries should also be added for variety.
Contents
Vegetables
As a general guideline, tortoises in both their wild habitat and domestic environments should receive most of their diet from leafy green vegetables. If it proves difficult for you to provide these at home, reptile specialty stores often sell tortoise food mixes designed specifically to meet their dietary needs.
All of these foods can be dusted with Repti-Cal calcium powder specifically tailored for tortoises to ensure they receive adequate vitamin D from their diet. Cuttlebone can also provide calcium to tortoises; many find pleasure chewing it!
Giant Sulcatas are true grass grazers, enjoying snacking on grasses, dandelions, hibiscus leaves and even prickly pear cacti for food! However, you should avoid giving them plants with roots, bulbs or cones that might contain poisonous elements or cause them harm.
Fruits
Tortoises enjoy treats of fruits such as berries as treats; however, too much of this could lead to dehydration. Instead, high-quality tortoise food should provide all of their needs to ensure optimal health and well-being.
Sulcata tortoises require plenty of greens such as grass, clover and weeds for food as well as dandelions and Opuntia (prickly pear cacti). Furthermore, these reptiles enjoy munching on bramble leaves, plantain leaves and hibiscus flowers for their sustenance.
As tortoises can experience various health issues related to plant toxicity, including shell and skeleton toxicity, it is wise to avoid plants which are toxic for tortoises such as rhubarb, foxglove, mistletoe and evergreens with needles or cones – though most tortoises will avoid these plants when free-ranging in the garden, it is wiser to be extra vigilant indoors when offering natural fresh food such as carrots.
Mealworms
As with other reptiles, tortoises require a diet rich in fresh leafy greens, vegetables and fruits. Each tortoise may require specific foods depending on its source; nonetheless all tortoises require plenty of variety when it comes to their meals.
Mealworms (not superworms) make an excellent nutritional addition to many tortoise diets at home, although the fresher the mealworm, the softer they will be for your pet’s digestion.
General guidance suggests a tortoise’s diet should consists of non-toxic plants like aloe vera, kale, turnip greens, dandelion leaves, hibiscus flowers and Opuntia cactus leaves; generally speaking greens should comprise at least 80% of his meals. A good mineral and vitamin supplement is also important – always seek advice from a specialist before introducing anything new into its diet; in particular ask about products with calcium as calcium is an essential element in their bones and skeletons; vitamin D helps them absorb calcium more effectively so it can be integrated into their bones and skeletons.
Water
Tortoises spend their days foraging on grasses and hays found in nature, providing essential nutrition. You should provide this food when possible as it provides them with protein, fiber and other vital elements they require for survival.
Your tortoise requires fresh, shallow water on a daily basis for drinking purposes as well as defecation purposes. Please ensure it does not contain sand, dirt or gravel that could irritate its shell lining and lead to infections or diseases in their system.
Tortoises are predominantly herbivorous (plant eaters), though they will sometimes enjoy fruits and vegetables as treats. A balanced tortoise diet is vital to their long-term happiness; purchasing commercial food mixes made specifically for tortoises from either a reptile specialist store or general pet store will make preparing their diet much simpler.
