Sulcata tortoises have become increasingly popular as pets, yet require special consideration to meet their nutritional needs. Their diet must consist of high fiber food with no fruit or animal proteins present and adequate calcium intake.
Sulcata tortoises in the wild are predominantly herbivorous animals that consume various types of grasses and hays as well as sow thistle, clover, dandelion and edible flowers such as romaine lettuce (but no iceberg!). Furthermore, they need access to freshwater sources.
Contents
Grasses
Sulcata tortoises are herbivores and require a diet rich in fiber for proper digestive processes. When kept as captive pets, this means feeding on grasses and hay as well as leafy greens and vegetables for their food sources.
Ideal options would include organic produce grown in your own yard to minimize exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. Timothy, orchard and alfalfa hays are excellent choices; alfalfa is higher in protein content so should only be given in small amounts; too much protein could lead to shell distortion or pyramiding in sulcatas.
Sulcata tortoises should also enjoy eating vegetables such as red leaf lettuce, arugula, kale, collard greens mustard greens and dandelions for nourishment. Spinach or other high oxalate greens should be limited as these could potentially lead to kidney stones in these tortoises; watermelons provide occasional treats for these grazing tortoises.
Leafy Greens
Sulcata tortoises are herbivores in their natural environments and their digestive systems can process various vegetables. Unfortunately, some popular fruits contain oxalates which bind with calcium in their bodies and prevent it from being properly utilized to support bone and shell health.
Avoid feeding your sulcata tortoise leafy greens that contain high levels of oxalate, such as spinach and parsley, for optimal health. Grated raw carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and corn on the cob are excellent vegetable choices that provide essential calcium boosts. You could also offer them some Opuntia sp (prickly pear cacti) pads but ensure they are without spines to boost calcium intake.
A balanced diet for tortoises should consist of hay and grasses with some leafy vegetables mixed in, along with fruit as treats. To monitor their food consumption more closely, weight them regularly – this will enable you to identify any nutrient deficiencies or health problems, such as dehydration. Plus, keeping track of portion sizes ensures they’re eating enough!
Fruits
A tortoise’s diet should primarily consist of hay and grasses, leafy green vegetables and small amounts of dry pelleted food. Common foods for tortoises include romaine lettuce, kale, collard and mustard greens, bok choy butter lettuce water cress escarole parsley etc; spinach should not be fed due to high oxalates content which can lead to bladder stones; cucumber can help with hydration or hiding prescribed medication, grated carrots (never raw), turnips winter squash pumpkin summer squash sweet potatoes plus tomatoes berries melons etc as treats.
As with the other foods, these should also be sprinkled lightly with a high-quality calcium/vitamin D3 supplement to ensure your tortoise receives sufficient amounts of this essential mineral. Insufficient calcium consumption can lead to metabolic bone disease and other health problems in tortoises. Fruit should make up only a minimal portion of his diet as they contain too much sugar for him to digest naturally in its native habitat.
Nuts
Tortoises should receive diets similar to their natural habitat in order to remain happy and healthy. Red leaf lettuce, kale, mustard greens and collards greens are excellent vegetables to provide in moderate amounts; other healthy choices could include cactus pads, hibiscus leaves or dandelion greens as additions. Avoid giving spinach as this contains high concentrations of oxalic acid which blocks calcium absorption causing shell deformities and pyramiding.
Timothy hay, Bermuda grass and orchard grass provide tortoises with excellent sources of fiber. Avoid giving processed human foods, as these contain too much protein, sugar and salt – especially those from processed animal sources (fish, mice or insects)! Instead they get all their protein needs covered through grasses, hays and plants; avoid feeding prickly pear cactus pad seeds which may cause digestive discomfort as they contain high concentrations of oxalic acid that could lead to kidney stones forming! Finally cilantro or coriander should only be offered occasionally since its high concentration in oxalic acid content can lead to kidney stone formation!
