So what can a sulcata tortises eat? They love all kinds of colorful, small plants. And their diet is surprisingly diverse! Listed below are some types of vegetables that a sulcata tortoise can eat. These plants are high in fiber and low in calcium, making them an excellent choice for a sulcata tortoise’s diet.
Contents
Grass is the most important staple in a sulcata tortoise’s diet
Grass is an excellent staple for a sulcata tortoises’ diet. It contains high levels of calcium and fiber, which promotes healthy shell and bone growth. However, if you’re feeding your tortoise too much protein, your tortoise could develop shell growth issues. Grass comes in hundreds of different varieties, but most grasses are narrow-leaved plants.
Sulcatas love grass. The leaves of grapevine and mulberry trees are also very tasty to these animals. Some sulcatas also nibble on lawns, so make sure not to use herbicides on them. Grass should comprise about 75 percent of the diet for sulcata tortoises. For young tortoises, you may have to feed them spring mix or hay from the grocery store.
Grass is low in protein
This sulcata tortoise should be fed plants as a staple diet. You should follow the 80/20 rule, i.e., about 20% plant protein to 80 percent hay. Centaurea scabiosa, stoebe, and hibiscus syriacus are safe choices. Other plant foods, such as pumpkin, are acceptable but should be kept to a minimum.
You can choose to feed your tortoise a variety of grasses, such as Bermuda grass, buffalo grass, orchard grass, and prickly pear cactus pads. These are relatively low protein, so you can’t feed them a high-protein diet exclusively of grass. For an even more varied diet, you can also offer your tortoise occasional slugs.
Grass is high in fiber
Grass is a great source of fiber for a sulcata’s diet. Other grasses can be used as a supplement, including Timothy grass, alfalfa hay, and common Bermuda grass. The best thing to feed your tortoise is grass, as this will provide it with a high fiber source, while also providing basic nutrients and trace elements. However, don’t feed your tortoise grocery store greens – they won’t have enough fiber.
The diet of a sulcata tortoises should be comprised of a mixture of green leaf vegetables and course grasses. Hay should be pesticide-free. You should also include flowers in its diet. Avoid alfalfa hay because it contains high levels of oxalates, which can lead to kidney failure in tortoises. Timothy grass, Meadow Grass, Oat hay, and other types of hay are good choices.
Grass is low in calcium
Grass is an excellent source of calcium for tortoises. Grass is also high in protein and should be limited to occasional treats. Grass should be dusted with multivitamin powder on a regular basis. In addition to calcium, tortoises need a healthy amount of vitamin D3 to keep their bones strong and healthy.
Dandelions, for example, are a good source of calcium for a sulcata. Another calcium source is milk thistle. Calcium is important at the cellular level and in the transmission of nerve impulses. The tortoise also enjoys cuttlebone, which can be broken into pieces. Grass are not the only foods rich in calcium for sulcata tortoises.
Grass is home grown
Grass is a staple food for sulcata tortoises, so you should try to provide your pet with as much of it as possible. This should be made from pesticide-free grass, such as fresh-cut Bermuda grass. Other suitable choices are lawn fescue, rye grass, or wheat grass. Grass for sulcata tortoises should be available 24 hours a day.
Grass is a good source of fiber and nutrients. However, commercially-grown vegetables are less nutritious than the native plants. However, you can still supplement your tortoise’s diet with vegetables if you grow them yourself. Dark greens, such as spinach and broccoli, can be fed as supplements and substitutes for grasses for a short period.
