What Vegetables Do Tortoises Eat?

what vegetables do tortoises eat

An effective opening paragraph is key for drawing in readers. It should establish an emotional bond and outline what they will gain by reading your piece.

Chewy Online Pet Supplies


35% Off at Chewy.com

+ Free Shipping

Save Now

Tortoises are herbivorous creatures, so most of their diet should consist of leafy greens such as alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, dandelion leaves, turnip greens, cilantro and romaine lettuce (not iceberg). Fresh fruit may also be eaten daily.

Contents

Spinach

Tortoises are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and commercial foods in order to satisfy their dietary requirements. Ideally, at least 80% of their diet should consist of leafy greens while the remainder can come from fruits, commercial food sources, or protein sources.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A and calcium for tortoises, but excessive consumption could impact their thyroid health negatively. Therefore, offer it only occasionally.

Sulcatas cats often enjoy grocery store vegetables such as kale, collard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, mustard and dandelion greens, romaine lettuce arugula and Swiss chard; additionally they love radishes beets sweet potatoes tomatoes zucchini; however citrus products should be avoided due to high levels of purines found within them.

Brussels sprouts

Though Brussels sprouts can be nutritious treats for tortoises, it should only be fed occasionally. They contain oxalic acid which inhibits calcium absorption within their bodies. Too much exposure could result in serious digestive issues for your tortoise.

Avoid cabbage as it contains goitrogens that may cause long-term kidney damage and has a low calcium to phosphorus ratio that makes it unsuitable for tortoises’ diets.

Other vegetables to avoid are spinach, Swiss chard and mustard greens because they contain high concentrations of oxalic acid which binds with calcium forming calcium oxalate which prevents absorption by your tortoise. You should also try to limit sodium-rich foods like corn and frozen vegetables since these could increase salt intake further.

Carrots

Yes, tortoises enjoy carrots as part of a balanced diet, but avoid giving raw carrots due to toxic glucosinolates contained in them that could cause poisoning and overfeeding them which could provide an abundance of nitrates which lead to deficiency of other essential vitamins and minerals.

Sulcata tortoises not only enjoy snacking on dark leafy greens, but they are also drawn to plants and flowers rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Try offering them plants like dandelion greens, endive, collard greens, mustard greens or beet tops as good options.

Though these vegetables can provide necessary nutrition, tortoises should only consume them in limited amounts as their high sugar content could cause intestinal parasites. Tortoises should ideally consume grasses and leafy greens along with low-sugar fruits as part of their daily diet. If you want to control how much food your tortoise eats, keeping them contained within an enclosure with an attractive garden is the most efficient solution.

Swiss chard

Tortoises are instinctual feeders with an instinct to survive; therefore they will eat whatever food sources are available to them in nature – from greens, roots and fruits to leaves and animals such as rats.

Avoid foods rich in oxalates, which bind calcium and prevent its absorption – this includes peas, beans and cereals – as well as kale, broccoli and cauliflower.

Fruit is an excellent addition to a tortoise’s diet, provided they’re eaten responsibly. Apples, berries and melons can all make delicious treats; bananas may also provide some sweetness as treats but should only be offered occasionally due to their sugar content.

Parsley

Tortoises, being herbivorous creatures, consume a wide range of plants both wild and domesticated as food sources. As herbivores, tortoises feed on dark leafy greens and grass, hay, weeds such as sow thistles, plantain weeds and clover; succulents like prickly pears and spineless Opuntia cactus pads as well as some fruit as treats are favorites among them.

Avoid giving your tortoise spinach as its high levels of oxalic acid bind calcium and prevent absorption of vital vitamins and minerals. Instead offer kale, mustard greens or collard greens as alternatives.

Your Russian tortoise should enjoy foraging through your garden and eating a range of safe outdoor plants such as dandelions, clovers and grasses; add herbs such as parsley and cilantro (coriander) in small doses as part of its diet.