Tortoises, being grazing species, require a diet consisting of plant-based foods. There are many quality commercial tortoise food pellets on the market that supply vitamins and minerals vital for reptile health; soak the pellets before feeding for optimal results.
Tortoises often consume over two hundred different plants in the wild. A healthy tortoise diet should include:
Contents
Fresh Greens
Box turtles are generally omnivorous animals; however, for optimal health they require a diet that leans heavily toward plant-derived food sources and less towards animal products. Furthermore, fresh water should always be available and full spectrum lighting (UVA and UVB) should also be present to promote vitamin D3 production and calcium absorption.
Mazuri’s PhD exotic animal nutritionists have developed this low-starch tortoise food to mimic the diets found in wild tortoises. It provides essential vitamins and minerals required for eye, skin, GI tract health and normal growth; additionally it features yucca to minimize ammonia odors.
This dry pellet food is designed for herbivorous tortoises from arid zones like sulcatas as well as plant-eating lizards like bearded dragons and green iguanas that enjoy plants such as bearded dragons and green iguanas. With high fiber levels, low starch levels, vitamin A & E to support natural diets as well as antioxidants for eye & skin health benefits – perfect for all adult sulcata, gopher radiated Galapagos & Chuckwalla tortoises as well.
Fresh Fruits
Most tortoise owners add fresh fruits such as apples, pears, bananas and berries to their pet’s daily meals to provide additional fiber and vitamins. Although fruit should be fed sparingly as it doesn’t provide as many essential nutrients like green vegetables do.
Box turtle diets should consist primarily of vegetables like kale, collard greens, turnip and mustard greens as well as alfalfa hay; okra; dandelion leaves; bok choy; spinach Swiss chard watercress as the staple diets. Other acceptable vegetables, but not recommended for this majority, may include carrots; beet greens; kohlrabi; cooked sweet potato or parsnips and cooked sweet potato or parsnips (although these contain high levels of oxalates that bind calcium and other trace minerals from being absorbed). Avoid feeding yams and squash as these contain high levels of oxalates which bind calcium from being absorbed through their digestive tracts into their systems, thus impairing their absorption by animals’ digestive systems.
Wet chows can also be used, though these can be messy and could attract pests. Instead, we suggest the Mazuri Tortoise LS Diet as this dry food specifically designed to meet the needs of tortoises–including red-footed, desert and tropical species – doesn’t need soaking before consumption! Packed full of essential chelated minerals, vitamins and natural plant and animal nutrients which support eye, skin and digestive health benefits for maximum benefits for your tortoise!
Calcium Powders
Captive tortoises should receive daily calcium supplements in the form of powder or liquid form to ensure they get adequate amounts of this important mineral. Reptile-grade calcium powder can either be sprinkled onto food or left for them to nibble at as they please.
Variety in food offerings will also ensure your tortoise receives a variety of essential nutrients in their diet and prevent them from imprinting on certain items, which could potentially lead them down unhealthy paths in later years.
Mazuri tortoise diet is an excellent choice, providing high levels of phosphorous-free calcium that can easily be absorbed. It can be purchased in most pet stores that specialize in reptile supplies. Cuttlebones can also provide extra calcium; typically found in bird sections of pet stores, these bones can be soaked to make them more palatable for tortoises.
Hay
Hay is an essential component of tortoise diets as it contains abundant amounts of fiber to aid with digestion and calcium absorption as well as being an excellent source of Vitamin A.
Your tortoise needs hay that has been tested and labeled as high quality for their optimal health and happiness. This means it should have an ideal leaf-to-stem ratio and be free from mustiness or mustiness; additionally it should boast bright green color without dust or mold growth.
Mazuri is a company that got their start feeding animals at the zoo, using this expertise to create exotic pet foods without artificial colors and that are FSSC 2000 certified. Their tortoise food provides all of its needs including protein. You can feed this tortoise food alone or mix in fruits and vegetables as desired; tortoises need regular meals; adding fruit can reduce their need to consume pellets as frequently.
