Dependent upon the species and enclosure for which your tortoise resides, their diet should include grasses, weeds, flowers (hibiscus and rose petals are especially beloved), plus leafy greens.
Some owners also supplement their tortoise’s diet with commercial tortoise pellet food, specifically designed to meet its nutrient needs. These supplements come in pellet form and help ensure they get all of the essential vitamins and minerals required by their tortoise.
Contents
Grass
Yes, tortoises can eat grass as part of their diet, but only as an occasional treat. Too much grass could irritate their stomach and increase protein consumption which may prevent proper calcium absorption.
Tortoises should avoid eating grasses with high concentrations of protein such as oat or wheatgrass as these contain large quantities of amino acids that could potentially harm their health. Instead, opt for endive, escarole, kale, radiish leaves, turnip greens squash leaves and spring mix as alternatives.
Weeds
Leopard tortoises require high-fiber foods like grass hay and broad-leaved weeds such as plantain and clover for their best diets. Also give sow thistles and hibiscus flowers as treats along with succulents such as prickly pear cacti pads or aloe vera leaves as essential supplements.
Give them these weeds/flowers along with dark leafy greens and commercial tortoise food once or twice every week. However, avoid feeding tortoises vegetables that contain oxalic acid as this could lead to digestive issues; calcium powder might be more appropriate instead.
Greens
Tortoises are herbivores in their natural environments and require pesticide-free grasses and weeds for feeding purposes, either outdoors in their enclosure or, if kept indoors, in an escape-proof garden.
Avoid feeding leafy greens such as iceberg lettuce that offer little nutritional value; these items take up space in their stomach, prompting her to consume less of her more nutritious foods.
Tortoises may eat green beans, string beans and runner beans on occasion but only as part of an occasional feeding plan as these vegetables contain excessive sugar levels and have poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratios.
Fruits
Fruit should only make up 10% of a tortoise’s diet due to being high in sugar content and potentially damaging to their intestinal flora. Furthermore, avocados and bean sprouts should also be avoided for maximum intestinal health.
Tortoises cannot digest protein from animal sources such as meat, cheese and hard boiled eggs and should only be given these items on an extremely limited basis. Instead they get all their required protein from vegetables such as grasses, weeds and alfalfa which should be soaked to increase nutrient content.
Nuts
Tortoises fed on an appropriate diet do not need extras like nuts; their high protein content will only place an added strain on their bodies and add additional stress.
Sulcatas need dark leafy vegetables like alfalfa and grasses. Cabbages contain goitrogens which may interfere with thyroid function.
Some tropical species require extra protein in the form of snails and earthworms – not exceeding 5% of their diet.
Seeds
Tortoises, as herbivorous animals, typically feed on grasses and leafy weeds in the wild, which can be replicated at home using special food mixes formulated for reptiles.
Grow Your Own Tortoise Food You could also try growing your own tortoise food using a seed starter kit designed specifically for your tortoise breed, including a propagator and specially blended seeds that cater specifically to it. This hobby can be rewarding and fun for the whole family! However, keep an eye out for seeds high in oxalic acid or goitrogens which shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their diet.
Hay
Tortoises can meet their protein needs through vegetables and grasses that are safe to eat within their enclosure, such as dandelions, clover, parsley, dark leafy greens and cacti. Dandelions, clover, parsley and dark leafy greens make excellent sources of nourishment for tortoises.
Tortoises should be fed a pellet diet that fulfills their daily nutritional requirements; these are available from pet stores specializing in reptile care. You can supplement it with fruits, plants and vegetables for a more balanced diet.
Calcium Powder
Rep-Cal is an excellent product to provide general mineral supplements to tortoises; you can find it at many pet stores.
Avoid plants high in oxalic acid and goitrogens (such as broccoli, cauliflower and beansprouts). Also do not feed plants rich in phosphorous – their high concentration binds with calcium absorption processes and prevents efficient absorption, leading to metabolic bone disease that weakens bones over time and causes them to soften and break apart.
