Russian tortoises are herbivores and require a high-fiber diet of leafy greens, grasses, edible weeds and flowers for nourishment. Anything high in sugar or protein could potentially harm their wellbeing.
Animals need a diet rich in calcium, such as providing them with various foods like hay and grasses. Furthermore, provide them with access to water every day in a shallow dish for drinking or soaking purposes.
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Leafy Greens
Russian tortoises are herbivorous creatures in their natural environment and should be fed a diet consisting of mostly leafy greens in captivity. Romaine lettuce, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, turnip greens and mustard greens make an excellent selection and should be provided daily in portions that approximate the size of its shell. Bell peppers, squash or carrots may also be added occasionally for variety while fruits should make up no more than 10% of its diet.
Multiple foods for Russian tortoises can be easily obtained in your grocery store or online, saving both time and money from having to travel back and forth to a pet store. A probiotic and calcium supplement may also be recommended. Also, Russian tortoises should be checked by a reptile-savvy vet soon after purchase and annually afterwards; weight checks should also be conducted periodically to ensure they maintain an ideal body weight according to age and species.
Hay
Russian tortoises live in harsh natural environments that require them to forage for food for long periods in order to survive, forcing them to overeat in captivity and become overweight. Therefore, their weight should be monitored on an ongoing basis in order to avoid malnutrition.
Timothy or alfalfa hay should be provided as part of an enclosure to aid with digestion of leafy greens and provide fiber sources. Furthermore, it’s crucial that reptile-safe substrate such as cypress mulch, orchid bark or reptile soil be provided for burrowing needs.
Certain greens contain high concentrations of oxalates that should be limited in your tortoise’s diet to help avoid crystallization in its kidney or gallbladder, such as kale, spinach and mustard greens. You can provide these foods as supplements but they should not make up a substantial part of its daily food regiment. Sowing lettuce seeds yourself may save money while providing your tortoise with access to fresh natural food that they would be familiar with from being wild.
Fruit
Russian tortoises hail from dry climates and have adapted by burrowing deeper underground to reduce humidity. But, even so, they need regular hydration; provide them with a shallow dish of fresh water each day that needs cleaning at least once daily and leave it out until at least midnight each night; Russian tortoises often use these bowls both to drink from and empty their bowels from.
Your tortoise needs lots of fresh fruits like strawberries, apricots, and raspberries for optimal nutrition and enjoyment. Slices of watermelons and cantaloupe can also provide plenty of hydration as well as vitamins C and A for maximum benefits.
Be wary not to overfeed your Russian tortoise as these creatures tend to become obese in captivity and may need long hibernations periods if their weight increases too much. If your pet tortoise becomes obese and cannot fit inside its shell anymore, cut back on feeding amounts accordingly.
Water
Russian tortoises benefit from a diet consisting of leafy greens, hay, grasses and fruits and vegetables; weight management should also be monitored closely due to captivity-induced obesity issues.
Tortoises require access to fresh, clean water daily in order to retain moisture and prevent dehydration. It is important to remember that many wild plants are toxic to tortoises and should not be fed, including rhubarb (unless cooked), wild cherry, Jerusalem cherry, foxglove morning glory belladonna or lily of the valley; feeding these may lead to Metabolic Bone Disease in which their bones become weak due to an imbalance of calcium phosphorus and vitamin D3.
Since Russian tortoises come from dry climates, they do not need constant access to water but should have access to it whenever needed for rehydration purposes. Water dishes must also be regularly cleaned so as to prevent harmful bacteria contamination of their supply.
