Desert tortoises should consume a wide range of greens, as well as produce foods high in vitamins. Vegetables containing goitrogens may decrease thyroid activity.
Tortoises enjoy snacking on cactus pads, as well as fruits like berries and pears (cut into smaller pieces to prevent choking) in moderation, due to their sugar content.
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Grasses and Weeds
Desert tortoises are known for being experimental eaters in their natural environments and will consume plants that may be either toxic (Lupine, Loco Weed) or painful to their digestive systems (cacti, Euphorbia). Therefore it is essential that they receive a variety of natural food sources including those high in calcium content.
Avoid eating too many cruciferous vegetables such as kale and Brussels sprouts as these contain goitrogens which interfere with thyroid activity. Small quantities should be provided.
Tortoises live their entire lives grazing on natural plants that contain protein and calcium in abundance, so providing grasses and weeds as food sources in captivity is critical. Also sprinkle powdered calcium carbonate without Phosphorus as this binding makes calcium unavailable for healthy bone/shell development or offer always available low sodium calcium sources like cuttlefish bones (preferred) without the outer hard layer so as to prevent choking; spray food periodically with vitamin supplements like Reptivite or Vionate to boost nutrition!
Vegetables
Vegetables play an integral part in feeding captive desert tortoises. These plants offer fiber, vitamins and minerals in addition to plant proteins.
Green leafy vegetables such as kale, chard and mustard (leaves only) should be offered occasionally as treats to tortoises; dandelions and prickly pear cactus can also be included as treats; though fruits such as apples, bananas and grapes should only be consumed occasionally as these high sugar foods could potentially expose tortoises to intestinal parasites.
Avoid feeding cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, radishes and spinach) too frequently as these contain significant levels of oxalates that bind calcium for shell/bone formation and render it unavailable for shell/bone development. Other high protein foods (like cucumbers, nasturtiums and native flower petals) that have no benefit (like cucumbers) should also be fed sparingly as this could lead to excessive urination or bladder stones forming in your tortoise!
Supplementing natural diets with Mazuri LS Tortoise Pellets may be beneficial, but should only be given once weekly. Overfeeding may lead to health issues including gout, kidney disease and diarrhea.
Fruits
Desert tortoises require plenty of Vitamin D3 from sunlight exposure. A diet consisting of various natural foods and regular outdoor grazing time will supply this essential nutrient; an occasional supplement containing Vitamin D3 may be necessary when kept indoors.
Fruits typically provide low calcium:phosphorus ratios and high water contents, making them unsuitable as a staple diet for captive tortoises. However, in small amounts they can provide welcome and nutritional supplementation.
About 85% of a tortoise’s diet should consist of grasses, weeds and dark leafy vegetables such as collard greens, kale, turnip greens, endive and escarole for optimal nutrition. Sugary foods should be limited because too much can increase their susceptibility to intestinal parasites; examples of suitable garden veggies would include collard greens, kale, turnip greens endive escarole. Be wary when feeding your tortoise food that contain heavy amounts of oxalates or goitrogens compounds which interfere with absorption of calcium by their bodies – these compounds interfere with calcium absorption!
Produce
Desert tortoises are herbivorous animals and require a diet rich in fiber, moderate protein and low fat content. Eighty percent of their diet should consist of grasses and weeds as well as dark leafy vegetables such as alfalfa hay, mulberry leaves, oleander leaves clover mallow globe lilyturfa sowthistle; 20 percent should include soft produce such as soft fruits such as apples.
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries should only be given occasionally as treats, since they contain essential vitamins and antioxidants. Grapes provide additional hydration benefits; cut fruits into smaller pieces to prevent any possible choking incidents.
No fruit should form an integral part of a tortoise’s diet. Most fruits contain too much sugar, and eating an abundance can increase their susceptibility to intestinal parasites. Papaya and fig (Kadota Fig photo Wikipedia) do contain considerable amounts of calcium, but should only be given occasionally in order to avoid diarrhea and digestive upsets. Furthermore, animal proteins should only be given in small doses as too much can cause excessive levels of uric acid production and lead to bladder stones formation – thus increasing risk.
