In its natural state, Mediterranean tortoises are herbivorous animals. Supplement their diet of grass hay with dark leafy greens rich in calcium (dandelion greens, endive, escarole and romaine lettuce are ideal) and vitamins A and C; avoid feeding these tortoises plants high in oxalic acid or goitrogens such as cabbage which could hinder calcium absorption.
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Bananas
Yes, tortoises enjoy eating bananas but it is best to limit how often they receive them due to their high-sugar content which could potentially cause health complications for their future wellbeing.
Keep your pet’s diet fresh by offering them fresh leafy greens and weeds such as dandelion leaves and flowers, opuntia cactus pads, kale, collard greens, turnip greens mustard greens as well as most common nontoxic yard weeds such as romaine lettuce rocket mixed baby greens parsley watercress
Avoid foods high in oxalic acid and contain goitrogens as these may pose long-term threats to your thyroid health.
Apples
Sulcata tortoises may enjoy fruit such as strawberries and watermelons (remove seeds and pips before offering), however this should only be given on occasion. A diet rich in dark leafy vegetables and weeds should instead be offered; try feeding your tortoise dandelion leaves, clover flowers, sow thistles, chickweed as examples; other nutritious food sources might include kale, red and romaine lettuces, turnip greens or collards among many others.
Tortoises in the wild obtain all their protein requirements by eating plants they find. For optimal care, however, tortoises should receive a variety of foods either from their natural environment or your garden.
Grapes
Tortoises are herbivores and can obtain all of their protein needs through eating grasses, flowers and plants. Their slow fermentation-based digestive tract allows them to take advantage of plant material’s lower protein concentration levels even in large quantities.
Tortoises of most species can eat grapes as an occasional treat, so be sure to remove all seeds and pips prior to offering your tortoise any grapes. It’s also important to regularly inspect their poop to ensure your tortoise is getting all of the necessary nutrition. A fresh healthy poop indicates your tortoise has enough food!
Blueberries
Tortoises require a diet high in fiber to minimize their risk of bowel issues and other issues caused by poor digestion. Most of their food source, both wild and domesticated, comes from leafy green vegetables.
Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes and bananas can also provide great nutrition for tortoises; however, their high sugar content should be provided sparingly. Furthermore, avoid offering your tortoise any leaves of these fruits which contain tannins with diuretic properties which could cause water loss that leads to dehydration.
Parsley
Your tortoise’s diet should include many different leafy greens, such as collard greens, endive, watercress, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens and parsley. Be wary of feeding cabbage as this contains high levels of oxalates which could bind with calcium absorption and prevent your tortoise from receiving what he or she needs for proper health.
Keep the tortoise’s digestive systems working as intended by offering them vegetables such as dandelion greens, kale or romaine lettuce instead of fruit as their bodies may have difficulty processing this substance. Only occasionally offer fruit to your tortoise to avoid health complications.
Red Cabbage
Yes, tortoises can eat red cabbage; however, as it contains high levels of sugar it should only be offered in small quantities and replaced by dark leafy greens such as spinach or collards.
Tortoises are typically herbivorous creatures and require a diet consisting mostly of healthy plants for sustenance. However, certain species such as box turtles and Red-footed Tortoises are omnivorous and could benefit from including some animal protein in their diet.
Tortoises kept as captive animals should consume a diet consisting of alfalfa sprouts, beans, turnip greens, mustard greens, Chinese cabbage leaves, dandelion leaves, romaine lettuce (not iceberg) and collard greens as food sources. Although fruit may occasionally be offered as treats (especially those high in sugar content). They should avoid eating berries though as these have too much sweetness for their body to handle.
Mint Leaves
While some tortoise species do occasionally consume animal parts (meat or insects) in the wild, this represents only a very minor and opportunistic portion of their diets; most species of tortoises are solely herbivorous.
Tortoises kept as captive pets should primarily consume dark leafy greens such as grass hay, kale, mustard greens and butter lettuce; additionally romaine lettuce should also be offered for its many health benefits.
Tortoises require sufficient calcium and phosphorus in their diets in order to maintain good bone health, particularly during times of rapid growth or for egg-laying females. Unfortunately, however, both nutrients may often be lacking from commercial diets offered to pet tortoises by their keepers.
