No topic seems to cause more angst among new tortoise keepers than diet. Unfortunately, much of the advice provided in books, magazines or on the Internet can be harmful and even lethal for tortoises.
Testudo (graeca) ibera in its natural habitat consume almost exclusively plant material, only occasionally eating small amounts of fruit as a food source. Therefore, their captive diet should reflect this tendency.
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Herbivore Diet
Testudo marginata tortoise is an herbivore, feeding on plants such as grasses, weeds and fibrous plant material as well as herbs. They will occasionally consume snails, earthworms or other invertebrates which contain calcium-rich shells containing an abundance of Vitamin D.
Diet of this species should primarily consist of high-fiber foods like grass hay (timothy or orchard), sow thistle, dandelions and spineless cactus pads; fruits and vegetables should also play an integral part.
Supplement this diet with store-bought greens such as curly endive, escarole and collard greens purchased at your local pet store, which provide added vitamins and minerals. Give these vegetables regularly alongside natural foods in rotation for best results and to provide added vitamin benefits. Peas and beans contain too much protein that could cause digestive issues for tortoises; Pre ALPIN Testudo Herbs provides low protein supplies while still providing enough crude fiber content to ensure healthy intestinal bacteria growth.
Vegetarian Diet
Diets that lack enough calcium or contain too much protein can have devastating consequences for tortoises, particularly hatchlings and juveniles. Poor diet management can result in serious, irreparable harm being done to these vulnerable creatures.
As part of your tortoise’s daily diet, provide grasses such as Timothy and Bermuda grass as well as grass-like weeds, flowers and herbs like Dandelion leaves, all varieties of clover flowers, field bindweed, lady’s mantle flower and marigold flower as well as fresh vegetables such as carrot tops, turnips, radish and lettuce for optimal nutrition.
Avoid offering processed foods such as cheese, bread and fruits because these non-natural options will likely do more harm than good. Commercially prepared pellet feeds designed specifically for tortoises may be suitable as food sources; however, only give small quantities at one time to avoid pyramiding and an unbalanced diet.
Feeding Schedule
Tortoises often approach streams, ponds and puddles during times of rain to drink from them, sometimes also passing urine at this time.
In the wild, their diet typically consists of grasses, herbs and flowers with some fruit occasionally available for consumption as opportunistically as a treat. As most species belong to this class of herbivores, no meat consumption occurs at any point throughout their lives – even as treats.
For optimal results, provide your Testudo tortoise with high-quality commercial pellet food such as Mazuri LS or Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food as a supplement to fresh produce. These easy to digest products provide consistent sources of vital nutrients. In addition, provide a water dish large enough for them to access easily for drinking purposes and change daily to ensure an hygienic environment – otherwise shell rot and metabolic bone disease could occur!
Water
Tortoises require access to fresh, clean water at all times that is easily accessible and covered by an appropriate substrate to prevent their pet from intaking any dirt or debris along with their water source. It should be loose so they can walk easily in and out of their tank; and should be changed regularly so as to remain healthy and free from bacteria build-up.
Too shallow a water source may lead to dehydration for tortoises. Overfeeding them with too much water may upset their mineral balance and cause soft shell issues.
Some may argue that tortoises don’t require additional water as their diet includes plenty of plant-based sources to provide essential fluids. But in reality, testudo tortoises become seriously dehydrated even within 48 hours without access to freshwater sources, leading to numerous health complications including excessive weight loss, kidney failure and articulate gout.
