Tortoises feed on various leaves, flowers and buds from common garden plants including fennel (Foeniculum), thyme, rosemary and basil flowers as well as fruits such as prickly pears, hedgehogs and pincushions that provide edible blossoms for them to feast upon.
Dried leaves, flowers and herbs make an excellent alternative when fresh foods cannot be obtained for various reasons. Not only can they enhance the nutritional value of foods they can also add extra value.
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Edible Garden Plants
Tortoises enjoy exploring their enclosures, but can also find great pleasure from browsing among garden plants. Many garden centres, nurseries and DIY stores carry an assortment of feeding plants that tortoises can utilize; it is best to buy these later in the autumn so they are fully grown so as to reduce any pesticide residue on them.
Garden arabis (Arabis caucasica), more commonly known as rock cress, is an ideal plant choice for tortoises as it offers shelter and sustenance simultaneously. Ideal for use in rock gardens and rock gardens generally, garden arabis also makes a good addition to tortoise enclosures.
Another good gardening plant to include in the garden is the Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Although this “weed” is often removed from gardens, its sweet nectar delights tortoises greatly and makes an excellent supplement to their diets.
Vegetables such as kale and collard greens can provide tortoises with plenty of vitamins. An alternative worth trying is Swiss chard (Brassica oleracea).
Toxic Garden Plants
Tortoises in the wild eat and shelter themselves among various plants; therefore it’s crucial that captive tortoises receive access to an assortment of edible vegetation.
Spiraea (Spiraea) ground cover plants make an attractive addition to any garden and provide excellent tortoise hideouts. Hardy perennials, they return year after year. However, when planting it within your tortoise enclosure be sure to fence it in until established or the animals may strip it bare before being established!
Spirea leaves provide essential nutrition to tortoises, with both its flowers and foliage providing important sustenance. Hardy and drought tolerant, Spirea can be pruned back regularly for smaller growth.
Many common garden herbs boast edible blossoms, such as fennel (Foeniculum), thyme (Thymus), rosemary (Rosmarinus), and basil (Ocimum sanctum). Members of the squash family such as zucchini and pumpkin also produce flowers which can be consumed as edible vegetables; additionally eggplant, radishes and peas can produce blooming foliage as well.
Toxic Wildflowers
Though they may appear menacing, most wildflowers are safe for tortoises to feed on (see a sample list below). They provide them with essential fiber while some even boast nutritional value – helping reduce gastrointestinal stress as a bonus!
Other food items that are safe for tortoises to eat include kale, collard greens and other members of the Brassica oleracea family such as cabbage. These plants grow well in gardens, are easy to care for and boast high calcium levels. Cucumbers are another favorite among tortoises due to their water-rich content that provides cooling relief during hotter climates while being packed full of essential vitamins and fiber content.
Tortoises may become overfed if given too many protein-rich foods, leading to their lifespan being cut short. Avoid feeding beans and legumes unmixed with high quality food sources like alfalfa hay.
Toxic Wild Berries
Wild animals tend to devour plants that look like tasty snacks, which doesn’t translate well to captive environments. When possible, use your field guide to identify berries that are safe for your tortoise; toxic ones are usually easy to differentiate from edible ones by their smell and appearance – if unsure, avoid these as the calories from toxic berries won’t justify risk of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Tortoises need a varied diet of non-toxic garden plants as well as domesticated and wild edible ones for proper health and welfare. Be sure to supplement its diet with leafy greens, fruit, weeds and any sustainable harvesting techniques when foraging in the wild; remembering sustainable harvesting practices such as allowing plants to regenerate after being harvested can ensure its long-term wellbeing. When foraging wild try sustainable harvesting techniques including allowing regeneration. Also try to avoid pesticide-treated plants even if found locally as their exposure could potentially cause serious health issues in return!
