Desert tortoises are herbivores and require a high fiber, moderate protein, low fat diet that’s rich in calcium. At least 85% of their diet should consist of grasses, weeds, and dark leafy greens to ensure adequate nutritional growth.
Acceptable greens include collards, dandelion, endive, escarole, grape leaves, mustard and turnip greens. In addition they may receive a small amount of fruit – especially berries – to enhance their nutritional needs.
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Grass
Desert tortoises have evolved to survive harsh weather conditions by entering estivation (decreased physiological activity) in burrows during summer. They’ve also learned how to eat a nutritious diet of greens, rest during winter and summer, and conserve water.
Desert tortoises can benefit from a wide variety of natural foods, such as Bermuda grass, dichondra grass, filaree spurge and clover; mulberry leaves and grape leaves; rose petals nasturtium flowers and hibiscus flower for treats.
Hatchling tortoises require a different diet than adult tortoises to encourage growth and development. Mulberries, grape leaves, clover, dichondra, alfalfa, filarees, spurges, rose petals, petunias and verbena are all great food plants to provide for hatchling tortoises.
Hatchlings should have the opportunity to browse on several of these plants daily, either in an outdoor enclosure or inside a tortoise grazing box. Dark-green leafy vegetables like endive, escarole and zucchini may be offered occasionally as supplements to the plant-based diet.
Wildflowers
Wildflowers make for an attractive source of food for desert tortoises. Not only are they usually easy to grow, but their vibrant colors add a lovely splash of life to your tortoise’s enclosure.
These flowers also function as natural flora in their habitats, providing pollen and nectar for butterflies, birds, and other beneficial insects. Furthermore, they make ideal landscaping plants due to their ease of cultivation and vibrant display of color in your garden.
Many flowering plants can be propagated through seed, which is easier and less expensive than vegetative means (division or cuttings). Some species require stratification – a period in which the seeds remain moist, cool and dormant – before planting them.
Growing these plants is best done in flats, then transplanting them into prepared beds once established. Select a growing medium that provides adequate moisture, such as peat moss or commercial peat-perlite mixes.
Cactus
Cactus pads are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and calcium. Plus they possess antioxidants which boost the immune system and protect against oxidative stress which could otherwise lead to heart disease or diabetes.
When selecting a cactus for your tortoise to feed, take into account its size, shape, texture and the types of nutrients it offers. For instance, prickly pear cactus pads contain high amounts of vitamin C.
Cactus also boast a taproot that is longer than most plants, allowing the plant to absorb water deep underground and store it for later use.
Cactuses possess many small roots that reach close to the ground’s surface. This helps them store water and absorb moisture when rain falls, enabling them to survive in hot and dry climates. Furthermore, their thick skin protects them from predators like birds and lizards while providing extra protection from external elements like wind.
Fruits
Desert tortoises typically feed on grasses, weeds, wildflowers and other plants at about 80 percent moisture level. This makes for a nutritious starting point for your pet tortoise’s food regimen since these plants tend to have plenty of essential minerals and vitamins.
Tortoises thrive on dark, leafy greens such as kale, turnip greens, bok choy and mustard greens. Herbs like parsley or cilantro can also be included for added nutritional value.
Fruit can be beneficial to your tortoise’s diet, but do not give them too much. Grapes and other fruits with high sugar content should not be offered as they disrupt their digestive system’s normal bacteria.
Other foods to avoid are broccoli, cauliflower and mustard greens as these contain goitrogens that may suppress a tortoise’s thyroid activity. Feeding your tortoise these items too frequently may result in enlarged thyroid glands (goiters), an iodine deficiency, liver damage and kidney disease.
