Tortoises can eat a variety of foods, from a wide variety of plants to grasses and weeds. They can gobble up the odd slug, so excess protein is not necessary. You can prepare homemade salads, or purchase a store-bought mix, which differs in nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce is low-nutritional, while baby leaves are more nutritious.
Contents
Grass
Grass is an important part of any home tortoise’s diet. Grass is an excellent source of fiber and carbohydrates. In turn, it helps your tortoise burn up the stored energy in its body. The ideal diet should contain a high percentage of fiber, a low amount of protein, and a high amount of calcium. Grass is also low in calories and is ideal for tortoises of all sizes and species.
Grass can be of several types. To give your tortoise a variety of food, consider growing different varieties in pots. You can purchase grass seedlings online or from a garden center. Or you can buy cat grass at your local pet store. Grass is an important part of tortoise nutrition, but it’s important to note that some species can be toxic to them.
Hermann’s
Hermann’s tortoises need UVA and UVB light to thrive. Without them, they will not produce vitamin D, which is important for calcium metabolism. So, be sure to feed your tortoise a vitamin-fortified food. However, you don’t need to feed your tortoise daily. A feeding schedule of five to six times per week is sufficient for your pet.
Hermann’s tortoises are herbivores, meaning their diet should be rich in plant-based calcium. They prefer dark, leafy vegetables, such as turnip greens, collard greens, and kale. Fresh vegetables should comprise 90% of your tortoise’s diet. Serve fresh fruits and vegetables once or twice a day. A calcium supplement and reptile multivitamin should be given once or twice a week.
Dandelions
Despite the oxalate content in dandelions, this common weed is a safe home tortoise food. While it may be a bit risky to feed it more than twice per week, dandelions are safe to eat in moderation. The best way to provide your tortoise with dandelions is to freeze them. Freezing keeps dandelions fresher for longer and does not reduce their nutritional value. You can also freeze dandelions for use later. Dried dandelions are just as healthy but lose some of the nutrients.
The roots of dandelions contain high amounts of soluble fiber, which helps the tortoise’s digestive system work efficiently and absorb nutrients more efficiently. Dandelions also contain many antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is known to cause age-related and chronic diseases. The flower contains the highest levels of antioxidants, including beta-carotene, which is responsible for giving dandelions their yellow color.
Clover
While most species of tortoise are not aggressive, clovers are a great food for captive animals. Since they’re high in protein, you’ll want to make sure not to feed them clover alone. Try feeding them with other greens such as parsley, Swiss chard, watercress, or red or green cabbage, and kohlrabi. You may want to keep an eye out for other types of plant matter as well, such as Wood Sorrel, which has a similar taste and texture.
Most people feed their tortoises once or twice a day. The amount of food you give your tortoise should be about 80% leafy greens. However, if you’re feeding your tortoise in an outdoor setting, you can feed it less often. One good rule of thumb is to only feed your tortoise as much as they can consume in half an hour.
Fruits
To provide your home tortoise with a healthy diet, you should add fresh fruits and vegetables to the mix. While tortoises can gobble slugs, you should avoid using them as the primary food. Rather, you should supplement their diet with a high-quality, organic powder. Also, remember to remove any uneaten food as soon as possible. Even if you’re tempted to buy some, you’ll want to be sure to choose organic produce whenever possible.
Some fruit, especially iceberg lettuce, is harmful to tortoises. It contains large amounts of lactucarium, which is a sedative and is known to cause cardiac paralysis. You should avoid offering your tortoise sprouts and seeds, as well. Many common garden plants are toxic to tortoises. These include foxgloves, buttercups, and daffodils.
