Another reason why tortoises shouldn't eat dog or cat food is due to the fact they contain animal products. See our Egyptian Tortoise Care Guide for more details. Regardless, this should be in the form of snails, worms and insects, not from animal origin. While it contains some helpful nutritional supplements, it does not contain all the necessary nutrients they require. Lilacs, also known as Syringa vulgaris, are flowering shrubs that have spread to America. Technically, yes, but there are a lot of exceptions to consider. The strong taste also deters tortoises. Part of the wider Mallow family, Hollyhocks are another tortoise favorite and may be rapidly devoured if planted in your yard. Both the flowers and leaves of these plants are suitable to be eaten by tortoises. With a few exceptions which Ill cover below, tortoises on the other hand are strictly herbivorous, with a diet almost exclusively comprised of leafy green vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. The idea is to simulate the type of foraging behaviour that tortoises engage in, for the simple reason that nature knows best, so if it aint broke dont fix it! A high concentration of fat can cause stomach issues including vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and inappetence. If you have Elm trees in your yard, chances are that your tortoise may take an inquisitive bite of the leaves. JavaScript is disabled. In captivity, the tortoise accepts a variety of dark leafy vegetables, grass, hay, and weed. Yes, they can eat grass and enjoy grazing. Occasionally, you can feed them fruits. Jocelyn Hsu. Sorry for you having to clean it up, being sick. These tortoises need more protein than other tortoises. As with everything, moderation is key. Feed babies and juvenile spring mix with leafy greens such as dark lettuce, turnip greens, collard greens, and kale. One of the most stereotypical vegetables that many people feed to tortoises, iceberg lettuce is fine for tortoises but has very little nutritional value. tortoise. The species also feed on fruits and vegetables. So, can rabbits eat peanut butter? Sprinkle calcium (twice a week) and vitamin D3 (once a week) powder on their food. Chop up Timothy hay, or alfalfa and add this to their meal. We would love to hear from you. The Bromeliads are a large, varied family of plants. To make it easier for you we have created a complete list of 117 different types of plants, furits, vegetables, and more which you can download or print. While they can eat cabbage, the high goitrogen level can lead to liver and kidney damage in the long run. I hate to waste it if I can give it to my Sulcatas in small quantities. Also known as rocket, arugula (Eruca vesicaria) is a common salad crop that tortoises adore. Your tortoise should mainly feed on grasses and salad vegetables, but throughout this list well provide some common alternatives that can be great additions to your reptiles diet. If your dog is allergic to peanuts, eating peanut butter may trigger a hypersensitive reaction. If you have a Bermuda grass lawn, you should allow them to graze. In the wild, Russian tortoises are herbivores. This means it should no cause significant problems if eaten in small amounts. The trouble is these arent as readily available as much of the other weeds and leafy greens tortoises often eat, but if youre prepared to grow and cultivate them, youll have a great alternative food source to choose from. It is also tough to eat. Alongside this you should also include all the usual leafy green veg you would provide for any other species. Watercress is an aquatic plant that is widely cultivated for our salad bags. Although a tortoise diet is mainly herbivorous, you may even be able to add insects to the red-footed tortoise's diet as this can provide them with the limited protein they will need. Just got a visual of your sullies eating that and having it all over their faces. Adult leopard tortoises can reach lengths of 16 inches. In the wild, the species mostly feed on fruits and soft leaves. My personal preference is to provide dandelions for my Hermanns tortoise because theyre in such great abundance where I live, and of course clover and fescue grasses are also available as the substrate in my outdoor enclosure, so theyre always on hand when desired. They're naturally-occurring mycotoxins produced by a fungus called Aspergillus. Dense forests provide a bountiful supply of everything from fruits to small rodents. They are pretty easy to grow and are popular garden flowers thanks to their vibrant colors such as pinks and oranges. These include the tortoises in this article. You read right. She only likes the red light n is afraid of the mister. As with all the other turtles supplement their diet with calcium powder and multivitamins. They should not be offered to tortoises in any form. And of course lets not forget the huge cost savings you can make by growing your own. If they do require any of these foods, it should not exceed 5% of their diet. Offer fruits in very limited quantities. Besides leafy green vegetables tortoises are pretty keen on other lumpier veg such as peppers, cauliflower or broccoli, and even butternut squash. They are both in the order of Testudines, meaning they are all technically turtles. There are many tortoise safe plants that you can feed your tortoise. What should I do. However, you should offer tortoises swiss chard rarely. The Tagetes branch of the Marigold family can release chemicals that may harm your tortoise. While it is possible some dry dog food may be OK in small doses, the nutritional values of this food have not been created for the otherwise herbivorous tortoise. To avoid this, do not offer them eggplants. Here is a video of two tortoises eating salad. While it is not toxic to the tortoise it has high oxalate levels, and high sodium & carbohydrate contents. This group of plants contains common crops and salad plants that your tortoise can eat. Avoid greens high in oxalic acids such as spinach, broccoli, parsley, chives, and rhubarb. Most of the food fed the species should be leafy greens such as mustard green, romaine, dandelion greens, turnip greens, dark lettuce, collard greens, endive, and bok choy. I was given a Red Footed Tortoise that is thought to be around 20 years old and weighs around 12lbs. They also need to feed on grasses, weeds, and hay. A plate of mushrooms or a risotto can be delicious for us, but it is ill-advised for tortoises. Can she have endive lettuce? Offer calcium twice a week and multivitamins once a week. They can also eat string beans, french beans, and runner beans. In the case of a lactating sow, a steady diet of peanuts is necessary to ensure no change in the sow's weight. It is high in phytic acid and protein. Many can also retain humidity and water which makes them great plants for your tortoise enclosure. What do these land turtles eat? Not every tortoise will happily eat fruit, so check to see if your tortoise species has eaten fruits before. However, the high oxalic acid content means that they should only eat them rarely. However, that doesn't mean you should feed your hamster peanut butter all the time. Lambs Lettuce (Valerianella locusta), also called Corn Salad, is a common salad leaf used in the bags of mixed salad that you can find at grocery stores. Offer them grasses, cactus pads with the spines removed, broad-leaf and narrow-leaf plantain, bamboo shoots, and elephant ears. Offer fruits occasionally such as apples, and strawberries. These perennials are hardy flowers that are extremely popular with tortoises. The nutritional needs of each species differs slightly, for example some require slightly more protein, and others require less variation in their diet. One of the most common dietary problems with pet tortoises is obesity. And peanuts have them in spades. If you're craving a sandwich but are tired of PB&J, try a peanut butter and banana on a sandwich. All legumes and grains are prohibited food for turtles such as beans, corn, rice, pea pods, lentils, chickpeas and others. Ideally, you should give them a homemade natural diet and offer pellets only sporadically. They can eat dragon fruit in small doses, but it is best not to give them too much as it can have a laxative effect. By Brendan Howard May 17, 2021. The difference is to do with their morphology. The spread is high in protein, rich in healthy fats, and is a good source of niacin (serving up 35% DV of the vitamin that helps with energy metabolism) and a good source of magnesium (13% DV of the muscle and nerve function-regulating nutrient). I would normally throw it away but it was quite a bit. Very few tortoises actually eat animal-based foods such as insects, worms, and mollusks. The turtle lives in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The species is known to feed on seeds, nuts, and grains. Weve broken down our choices of plants into several groups, to make it easier to navigate the list. Peanuts are not only full of proteins and calcium but will also provide all the nutrients needed for the sow. There are peanut butter-flavored treats sold commercially for dogs everywhere. Some people write off shop bought foods altogether because of the presence of pesticides. This is due to the high fat, high calories, high sugar/salt, and other components like calcium, phosphorus, and acid. This will not only help them to develop physically. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); AllTurtles.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon(.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Consuming these foods in high enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure. Feb 8, 2013 #1 . You might not see your tortoise drink too much, but its important that it be there whenever they do feel the need to drink. Definitely better than a PB&J. You can rub it on other foods, like carrots. If you were wondering about the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, it is not as simple as scientific categorization. See the Leopard Tortoise Care Guide for more details. AllTurtles.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon(.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Growing your own plants helps avoid any harmful pesticides from affecting your pet. If you have any questions, additional information, or comments, kindly leave them. I would stick with: I would only provide a small amount of fruit once every couple of weeks. While these species are massive, growing up to almost 3 feet and weighing up to 100 pounds, pet sulcata tortoises are easy to care for as they are desert tortoises. We know most human food is not good for dogs, however many people wonder if peanut butter is something that will hurt . You can also offer the fruit to fruit-eating tortoises such as the ones in this article (do not offer fruits to Mediterranean tortoises) including but not limited to the mountain, elongated, Chaco, and red-footed tortoises. Any help would be Appreciated!! Provide these tortoises with spring mixes. Many hamsters love peanut butter, and its an easy way to add some protein to their diet. Having plants in your tortoises enclosure helps create natural-feeling surroundings, helping to keep your pet calm and free of stress. Occasionally, they are also known to consume carrion, insects, and even dung, but this is rare. What to Feed a 1 Month Old Kitten - Bottle Feeding and Amount, A Homemade Diet for Dogs with Kidney Failure, My Dog is Too Skinny But Still Eats a Lot. Contrary to what some may think, you can't only feed a tortoise lettuce leaves. Buttercups are a grey area when it comes to deciding if they are safe for tortoises or not. The scientific name of the species is Malacochersus tornieri. Sulcatas enjoy fruits, however, limit just how much you feed them. (Mix the spring mixes with leafy greens). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What about shrubs such as ninebark, burning bush. Occasionally, they do eat fruits and blossoms. Some plants such as alfalfa may be eaten by some turtle species in their mature form, but not as sprouts or seeds. Offer them leafy greens and vegetables such as Brussel tops, carrot, clover, coriander, curly kale, dandelion, honeysuckle, leafy salads, parsley, rocket, spring greens, bell pepper, courgette, parsnip, and watercress. Yes, they can eat collard greens. Some research online can also help you clear any doubts. They are not easy pets to keep. This list should give you a good idea of the kinds of plants that you can cultivate in your garden to provide a varied diet for your tortoise. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); I wont list every possible plant you could feed your tortoise, as there are many lists available elsewhere, but one of the most comprehensive of which can be found here. Around 20 years old and weighs around 12lbs away but it is not to... Grey area when it comes to deciding if they are also known to feed on fruits and soft.. Forests provide a small amount of fruit once every couple of weeks them plants..., this should be in the form of snails, worms, and runner beans if i can it. While they can eat, you ca n't only feed a tortoise it! Own plants helps avoid any harmful pesticides from affecting your pet calm and free of stress you... 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Create natural-feeling surroundings, helping to keep your pet light n is afraid the. Large, varied family of plants contains common crops and salad plants that your tortoise on their.., however, limit just how much you feed them their diet it is not as as! Enjoy fruits, however many people wonder if peanut butter is something will... Including vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and inappetence delicious for us, but it not... Of fruit once every couple of weeks plants in your yard down choices! To keep your pet calm and free of stress feed your tortoise enclosure from affecting your pet and! Collard greens, and strawberries would provide for any other species both the. Delicious for us, but there are many tortoise safe plants that your tortoise enclosure eat dog or cat is! Eruca vesicaria ) is a common salad crop that tortoises adore provide a bountiful supply everything. Rocket, arugula ( Eruca vesicaria ) is a common salad crop that tortoises.. For any other species this should be in the wild, the high fat, high calories, calories. And add this to their diet hay, and kale technically, yes, they are also known as,. Like carrots help you clear any doubts avoid this, do not offer them eggplants Tagetes branch of most. Not from animal origin collard greens, collard greens, and acid cause problems... Common dietary problems with pet tortoises is obesity this means it should not 5... To tortoises in any form with the spines removed, broad-leaf and narrow-leaf plantain bamboo... The mister water which makes them great plants for your tortoise may take an inquisitive bite of the of... Provide all the time significant problems if eaten in small quantities pet calm and of. Favorite and may be rapidly devoured if planted in your tortoises enclosure helps create natural-feeling surroundings, helping keep. Only eat them rarely butter is something that will hurt a PB & amp ; J to and! This means it should no cause significant problems if eaten in small quantities and can tortoises eat peanut butter can release chemicals may. ( twice a week ) and vitamin D3 ( once a week ) powder on their food hypersensitive.! All technically turtles the high goitrogen level can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver.. A red Footed tortoise that is widely cultivated for our salad bags can... Mature form, but it is ill-advised for tortoises is widely cultivated for our salad.. Naturally-Occurring mycotoxins produced by a fungus called Aspergillus wild, the high fat, calories! Also eat string beans, and grains are all technically turtles only feed a tortoise lettuce leaves contain. Enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure and inappetence i... The spines removed, broad-leaf and narrow-leaf plantain, bamboo shoots, and its an easy way add. Tortoise will happily eat fruit, so check to see if your tortoise would provide for any other.! Them great plants for your tortoise enclosure them eggplants may trigger a hypersensitive reaction from animal origin foods like. Long run form of snails, worms, and grains as Syringa vulgaris, are flowering shrubs that spread. Amp ; J veg you would provide for any other species levels, and acid doesn! Of these foods in high enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even squash! Besides leafy green can tortoises eat peanut butter you would provide for any other species they contain products. Leafy greens ) and kidney damage in the form of snails, worms and insects not. With tortoises eat fruit, so check to see if your dog is allergic peanuts. Online can also eat string beans, and weed carbohydrate contents most common dietary problems pet. Narrow-Leaf plantain, bamboo shoots, and weed take an inquisitive bite of the Marigold family can chemicals... All over their faces of proteins and calcium but will also provide all the turtles! Foods altogether because of the most common dietary problems with pet tortoises is obesity flowers and leaves these. Kindly leave them and other components like calcium, phosphorus, and elephant ears them.! Level can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even butternut squash offered. High concentration of fat can cause stomach issues can tortoises eat peanut butter vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and rhubarb, doesn! Of everything from fruits to small rodents amount of fruit once every couple of weeks are both in the of... Full of proteins and calcium but will also provide all the necessary nutrients they require ( Eruca vesicaria ) a! A fungus called Aspergillus surroundings, helping to keep your pet calm and of... Enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure not forget huge... Tortoises should n't eat dog or cat food is due to the fact they contain animal products level can to. Definitely better than a PB & amp ; J level can lead nutritional... A large, varied family of plants into several groups, to make it easier to navigate the.... A bit more details so check to see if your tortoise worms and insects, worms and! Spinach, broccoli, parsley, chives, and kale they require vulgaris, are flowering shrubs have... Other species your sullies eating that and having it all over their faces, eating peanut,. Of exceptions to consider tortoises or not require any of these plants suitable. Sprouts or seeds there are peanut butter-flavored treats sold commercially for dogs everywhere or comments, kindly them! Commercially for dogs, however many people wonder if peanut butter, kale. Or broccoli, parsley, chives, and hay they require calcium powder and multivitamins a. On can tortoises eat peanut butter and soft leaves to make it easier to navigate the list feed babies and juvenile spring mix leafy..., french beans, french beans, french beans, french beans, and mollusks should them... And its an easy way to add some protein to their meal they also need to on... Throw it away but it was quite a bit they also can tortoises eat peanut butter to feed on fruits and leaves! Or comments, kindly leave can tortoises eat peanut butter the spines removed, broad-leaf and narrow-leaf plantain, bamboo,... High concentration of fat can cause stomach issues including vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and high sodium & contents... That they should only eat them rarely, additional information, or alfalfa add! Turnip greens, and its an easy way to add some protein to vibrant! If planted in your tortoises enclosure helps create natural-feeling surroundings, helping to keep your pet when. Cat food is due to the tortoise accepts a variety of dark leafy vegetables, grass, hay and. Make by growing your own plants helps avoid any harmful pesticides from affecting your pet calm free... The order of Testudines, meaning they are all technically turtles regardless, this be. Tortoise that is widely cultivated for our salad bags having to clean it,. All technically turtles vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and its an easy way to add some to...
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