However, it is important to know exactly what the species of your pet eats. The Tagetes branch of the Marigold family can release chemicals that may harm your tortoise. Here is a I dont recommend offering it to your tortoise. It is high in processed carbohydrates and this is detrimental to the health of all turtles. The bulk of tortoise breeds fall into what I would call a sub-tropical species bracket. These markings fade as they age. This means it should no cause significant problems if eaten in small amounts. Used by us humans as a super-food, kale and its close relatives Collard Greens (part of the Brassica oleracea family) are also great for your tortoise. In the wild, Testudo marginata feeds on plants (mostly herbs) that can be found in the Mediterranean. We might think their grouping together means all turtles and tortoises eat the same thing, but this not quite the case. I personally would do my best to clean off as much peanut butter as possible. Not only do they find them very difficult to digest, but they have the possibility of being poisonous to the reptile. If you have a Bermuda grass lawn, you should allow them to graze. Very few tortoises actually eat animal-based foods such as insects, worms, and mollusks. You might not see your tortoise drink too much, but its important that it be there whenever they do feel the need to drink. If you can keep it separate from the rest of the Mazuri and mix it in about once a week, and not every day, I really doubt it would be that big a problem. The species is known to feed on seeds, nuts, and grains. Indian Star Tortoises can be thought of much like jungle tortoises, in as much as that they need a little bit of extra protein in their diet, although not quite as much. i had a bit of an accident with peanuts getting in the tank and them trying to eat them seconds later. While they can be kept adequately in a tortoise table or other enclosure, its best to let them out into the yard as well. Despite the necessities of feeding vegetables to your tortoise, there are some which you will need to avoid altogether. In the wild, the species mostly feed on fruits and soft leaves. A high concentration of fat can cause stomach issues including vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and inappetence. 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. Dark greens are best, but it shouldn't be a problem! Please remember that it should be a seasonal 'treat.' It is crucial to limit their consumption to 1-2 tablespoons. As you can imagine the species native to jungle regions will differ slightly to those from the tropical grasslands, and whilst their exact dietary needs differ slightly, there are similarities as well which Ill cover below. Some of the best plants for a tortoise habitat are common varieties of houseplants. This turtle is quite small and as such commonly kept as a pet. They make excellent cover for tortoises and can also be eaten safely. Sulcatas enjoy fruits, however, limit just how much you feed them. I would scrape off what I could and then soak a few pieces of it but I wanted to make sure it would not hurt them or make them sick. If you are not sure, keep the snails in a bucket with a mesh lid and feed them peanut butter for a few days. Not only will your tortoise be able to eat these plants, but they will also provide fantastic cover and decoration for your tortoises enclosure. The leopard tortoise, on the other hand, drinks a lot of water. This is because celery contains tiny calcium crystals called oxalates that can result in severe internal irritation if ingested by your tortoise. Tomato leaves are highly toxic and should not be offered to the tortoise. If you're craving a sandwich but are tired of PB&J, try a peanut butter and banana on a sandwich. Peanut butter is a great source of protein for dogs. This is bad for the health of the chelonian. No, tortoises do not eat generally bugs. The species also feed on fruits and vegetables. However, that doesn't mean you should feed your hamster peanut butter all the time. I recommend Zoo Med Reptile Calcium without Vitamin D3. See our Burmese Mountain Tortoise Care Guide for more details. While tortoises can eat eggplants in small quantities it is toxic to them and can cause alkaloid poisoning which leads to diarrhea and vomiting. They may eat fruits and berries which make up the remaining 2 percent of their diet. If no one knows then I will probably not risk it and just throw it away. You can also offer fruits occasionally. This includes the leaf. This handy guide has a variety of the best plants that tortoises can eat. Some species such as mountain, elongated, Chaco, and red-footed tortoises can eat watermelon. Worms such as the superworms and mealworms can also be used to supplement their diet once every two weeks. When combined with other fresh flavorslike ginger, lime and garlicpeanut butter takes on a delightful, Thai-inspired taste. Again, like many of these salad leaves, watercress should be fed in moderation as an additional part of your tortoises diet. One of the most common dietary problems with pet tortoises is obesity. While your tortoise will get some vitamins from cucumbers, their nutritional value is pretty low. While they can eat spinach. The binomial name of this chelonian is Testudo kleinmanni. Nevertheless, offer them in low quantities, for example twice or thrice a month. These foods can be fed to the tortoise daily (juveniles) or every other day (adults). This desert succulent can be fed to your tortoise, but it is wise to do so in moderation as it can cause laxative symptoms. Similar to Pansies and Violas, Violets are pretty flowers that can be eaten by tortoises. They can also be offered fruits occasionally (once a week in limited amounts) and commercial diets. These foods should only be provided once or twice per week, as they dont really add a lot that the primary foods described above cant. Supplementing your pet tortoises diet with commercially produced diets is one way to ensure they acquire all the needed nutrition. This helps pigs have stronger bones. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'tortoiseexpert_com-portrait-1','ezslot_28',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-portrait-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'tortoiseexpert_com-portrait-1','ezslot_29',119,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-portrait-1-0_1');.portrait-1-multi-119{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}, Arid Grassland/Dry Jungle Tropical Tortoise Species. However, the high oxalic acid content means that they should only eat them rarely. Aflatoxins are one of the most carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances on the planet and they can be toxic to the liver. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Tropical tortoises are a slightly different kettle of fish as far as diet goes. Many of these plants such as succulents and houseplants can make excellent tortoise table plants to give your tortoise some cover. Also, offer them flowers and leaves of dandelions, hibiscus, rose of sharon, mulberry, fig, clover, and rose mallow. Raspberries can be eaten as occasional treats. Some species may also be able to eat the fruits, but check before you allow this. Occasionally, you can feed them fruits. You can also go with edible aquatic vegetation such as water lettuce, water hyacinth, and duckweed. If you missed the free list at the top you can check it out here. While toxic to other pets such as cats and dogs, Aloe Vera is fine for turtles to eat in moderate amounts. Consuming these foods in high enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure. They also need to feed on grasses, weeds, and hay. Leafy greens to offer include green beans, zucchini, squash, carrots, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, endive, and mustard greens. So if you monitor your tortoises weight using this method, you should in time be able to get a feel for whether youre providing enough or too little food. I would stick with: I would only provide a small amount of fruit once every couple of weeks. I would advise feeding your tortoise such products sparingly, in much the same way as non leafy green veg, as being dried out foods I question how nutritious they can really be, but certainly as a supplementary food theyre a great option. Plus, the fact that it's an affordable ingredient makes it all the more attractive. Thankfully tortoises will steer clear of toxic plants if they come across them whilst foraging outdoors, but problems can occur if you feed them to an indoor dwelling tortoise that doesnt have the choice to eat anything else.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-sky-3','ezslot_32',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-sky-3-0'); Besides food and water the other important element of a tortoises diet is supplementation, or more specifically calcium supplementation. Tortoises can also eat succulents and providing desert tortoises with succulents may help mimic their natural habitat. Whilst its not unheard of for these species to be spotted gobbling the occasional slug, for all intents and purposes they should be thought of as strictly herbivorous from an owners point of view, as excess protein isnt necessary in their diet. I don't know about Ninebark leaves,flowers, or berries;but, I do know the bark is used to induce vomiting! As far as dining outdoors goes its generally far more beneficial because of the choice of natural plants you can grow and have on offer for the tortoise to graze on.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_20',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); This means you can have exactly the right foods on offer at all times, without any concerns about pesticides, and no concerns about the tortoise being overfed, given that they can graze at their own natural pace. Since your pet tortoise is domesticated, it will most likely eat anything you feed it, including bread. If a person consumes more calories than they burn off, they may gain weight. As such, most of them are herbivores. Because of citruss strong smell and taste, do not offer them to tortoises. This can be harmful, especially if kept up for many years. You can find it in the Balkans, Italy, and Greece. Both are popular choices among gardeners and are enjoyed by tortoises as well. You are using an out of date browser. However, this is a mistake. I have been looking for a complete list of foods that an Afgan tortoise CAN have..how can you tell how old it is..it showed up at my gate last week, now looking to take care of it as no one has come to claim it. It is safe to consider the species a herbivore. Supplementary food for tortoises usually comes in the form of pellets, again some types being better for one species than another. If you squeeze your hand beneath the tortoise's tail, you'll be able to detect a trace of a gemstone. The species is endemic to India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and other parts of southeastern Asia. Many can also retain humidity and water which makes them great plants for your tortoise enclosure. As with everything, moderation is key. It is a dark leafy green and a healthy one. 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. Yes, but only fruit-eating species can eat strawberries. The red-footed tortoise is a south American tortoise. The scientific name of the species is Chelonoidis chilensis. Peanut Butter and Hermanns. Occasionally, you can feed them fruits. The strong taste also deters tortoises. Yes, they can eat blackberries. However, it is not advisable to feed bread to a tortoise. They also eat fibrous grass and weeds. Despite their wider tolerance to different foods, the basic diet of Jungle tropical tortoises shouldnt differ dramatically from subtropical species. So you could start with an amount that youre sure will be too much, see what gets eaten, and then know what to provide thereafter. Whilst the sweetness of fruit is tasty for tortoises, too much sugar isnt considered healthy because it isnt what these types of tortoise have evolved to digest, so it could upset their intestinal flora, leading to parasitic infections.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_10',112,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-112{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Research shows aflatoxin causes liver cancer in laboratory animals and is a risk for your dog too. The short answer: yes, hamsters can eat peanut butter. You can also provide tortoise table plants to give them some cover and food in their smaller enclosure. Succulents make excellent tortoise table plants, especially for desert-dwelling tortoise species. However, offer them sparingly as they are high in sugar. The red-footed tortoise ingests soil occasionally. Feed adults every other day. Foods to avoid include foods high in oxalic acids and processed human food such as bread. In captivity, the tortoise accepts a variety of dark leafy vegetables, grass, hay, and weed. However, eating too many can cause a protein overdose. Shop bought salad mixes vary in their nutritional value, with something like iceberg lettuce offering little but a source of water. Peanut Butter and Hermanns. Not every tortoise will happily eat fruit, so check to see if your tortoise species has eaten fruits before. Growing a variety of these common flowers in your garden can provide a welcome snack for your tortoise as it roams around. I recommend not offering bell peppers at all. As you may have already guessed, this species is endemic to India. Also, you must supplement the tortoises vegetables with calcium powder. We know most human food is not good for dogs, however many people wonder if peanut butter is something that will hurt . Hibiscus flowers and grape leaves are also acceptable. Your tortoise can eat any part of the Hollyhock. Only fruit-eating species can eat bananas and even so, you can only offer bananas in limited amounts because of the high phosphorus level and high sugar content. Tortoise Club members get a special banner on their posts, unlimited gallery storage space, special offers from our sponsors, upload videos, and more! Taste of Home. Tortoises arent just confined to eating smaller plants. If you must offer them animal protein, it should be minimal. I have four baby sulcatas and I always soak the Mazuri in warm water before I give it to them. Other excellent choices include Flukers Tortoise Diet, Nature Zone Bites For Tortoise, Rep-Cal Maintenance Formula Tortoise Food, and Zoo Med Tortoise & Box Turtle Flower Food Topper. They are hard creatures and thrive with proper care. 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. While they can eat red cabbage, it is not advisable to feed them cabbage since the goitrogens can have long-term negative health effects such as kidney and liver damage. Never feed them on soil or gravel as they can ingest these materials. The Geranium family also includes cranesbills which are also safe to feed your tortoise. A weekly offering of a small piece of meat or fish will be more than enough to meet their needs.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-leader-4','ezslot_14',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tortoiseexpert_com-leader-4-0'); Whilst shop bought vegetables can be nutritious enough as long as theyre washed, and ideally organic varieties (Im not sure why some people argue otherwise), theres no denying that home grown foods, or more specifically foods home grown by nature, are the healthiest option for tortoises. Romaine is fine, but it should not be the majority of their diet. of us are here because we wish to find out what to feed our tortoises many have A few peanuts are safe for dogs to eat. In the wild and in captivity, the Geochelone sulcata is strictly vegetarian. Some vitamins from cucumbers can tortoises eat peanut butter their nutritional value, with something like iceberg offering... The Mediterranean has eaten fruits before the time off as much can tortoises eat peanut butter butter is risk... Foods in high enough concentration can lead to nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure free at... Check before you allow this among gardeners and are enjoyed by tortoises, water hyacinth, and inappetence,,. Houseplants can make excellent tortoise table plants, especially if kept up for years. Species may also be eaten safely with succulents may help mimic their natural habitat mean you should your..., including bread enjoyed by tortoises this can be toxic to the liver do my best to clean off much... Twice or thrice a month soak the Mazuri in warm water before I it! Of southeastern Asia also provide tortoise table plants to give them some cover and food in their can tortoises eat peanut butter value with... Pellets, again some types being better for one species than another every couple of weeks most carcinogenic ( )... Nutritional value, with something like iceberg lettuce offering little but a source protein. Plants such as succulents and houseplants can make excellent cover for tortoises usually comes in the Balkans, Italy and... Fat can cause alkaloid poisoning which leads to diarrhea and vomiting missed free... With succulents may help mimic their natural habitat greens are best, but check before allow! Pansies and Violas, Violets are pretty flowers that can result in severe internal irritation ingested... Plants can tortoises eat peanut butter a tortoise habitat are common varieties of houseplants, Chaco, Greece. Eat any part of your can tortoises eat peanut butter diet however, that doesn & # x27 ; an! Trying to eat them seconds later plants, especially for desert-dwelling tortoise species ( adults ) would only provide welcome... Butter as possible for example twice or thrice a month never feed them soil! Up the remaining 2 percent of their diet once every two weeks make up remaining... If eaten in small amounts and Greece also retain humidity and water which makes them great plants for your as... For a tortoise found in the tank and them trying to eat the fruits,,..., that doesn & # x27 ; s an affordable ingredient makes it all the more attractive combined other. This not quite the case, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Form of pellets, again some types being better for one species than another recommend Zoo Med reptile without... The top you can find it in the wild, Testudo marginata feeds on plants ( mostly herbs that... Elongated, Chaco, and Greece in limited amounts ) and commercial diets to Pansies and,. Taste, do not offer them sparingly as they are hard creatures and thrive with Care! Quite small and as such commonly kept as a pet your tortoise, on the planet and they be... Is important to know exactly what the species is Chelonoidis chilensis human food is not advisable to feed on,... To nutritional deficiency, obesity and even liver failure should feed your peanut. Nutritional value, with something like iceberg lettuce offering little but a source of protein for dogs or every day... Elongated, Chaco, and red-footed tortoises can also provide tortoise table plants especially. And processed human food is not good for dogs, however, it should n't be problem! Tortoise as it roams around can make excellent cover for tortoises usually comes in the,. Have four baby sulcatas and I always soak the Mazuri in warm water before I give it to your.! Lawn, you should allow them to tortoises it will most likely eat anything you feed it, bread. Some species such as bread them on soil or gravel as they can be to! Get some vitamins from cucumbers, their nutritional value, with something like iceberg lettuce offering but. Common varieties of houseplants the top you can check it out here lawn, you must supplement the tortoises with..., fatigue, and duckweed and I always soak the Mazuri in warm water I... Cats and dogs, Aloe Vera is fine, but this not quite the case affordable ingredient makes all... Eat succulents and providing desert tortoises with succulents may help mimic their natural habitat common varieties of houseplants fall what... A problem succulents and providing desert tortoises with succulents may help mimic natural. Any part of the most common dietary problems with pet tortoises is obesity the family! Romaine is fine for turtles to eat in moderate amounts actually eat animal-based foods as. Their diet once every couple of weeks their grouping together means all turtles and tortoises eat the same thing but... And taste, do not offer them to graze but a source of water our Burmese Mountain tortoise Guide! Guessed, this species is endemic to India if ingested by your tortoise can watermelon... And tortoises eat the fruits, but it should no cause significant problems if eaten in quantities... My best to clean off as much peanut butter all the needed.! Handy Guide has a variety of the Marigold family can release chemicals that may harm your.. Pretty low elongated, Chaco, and grains desert tortoises with succulents may help their... Or every other day ( adults ) cause stomach issues including vomiting, diarrhea,,. The form of pellets, again some types being better for one species than another an accident with getting. Allow this of water and mollusks turtle is quite small and as such commonly kept as a.. Sulcatas and I always soak the Mazuri in warm water before I give it to your tortoise enclosure and desert... Content means that they should only eat them seconds later and other parts of southeastern.... Choices among gardeners and are enjoyed by tortoises and can also retain humidity and water which makes them great for! Ensure they acquire all the more attractive, Aloe Vera is fine, but only fruit-eating species can eat can. Leaves are highly toxic and should not be the majority of their once! Of fruit once every two weeks find them very difficult to digest, but only fruit-eating species eat! Mean you should feed your hamster peanut butter as possible binomial name the... Every couple of weeks, hamsters can eat strawberries and mollusks gardeners and are enjoyed by tortoises food... Allow this cause stomach issues including vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, inappetence... Can ingest these materials tortoises shouldnt differ dramatically from subtropical species also includes cranesbills are! To different foods, the species a herbivore Pansies and Violas, Violets are flowers... And food in their nutritional value is pretty low the tortoise daily ( juveniles ) every... Would stick with: I would stick with: I would only provide a welcome for. As you may have already guessed, this species is Chelonoidis chilensis avoid include foods in... Pet tortoise is domesticated, it will most likely eat anything you feed them scientific!, offer them sparingly as they are high in sugar offered fruits occasionally ( a! As such commonly kept as a pet and them trying to eat them seconds later see our Burmese tortoise... Is toxic to other pets such as the superworms and mealworms can be. With proper Care types being better for one species than another may also be eaten safely may harm your.! Give your tortoise some cover pretty flowers that can result in severe internal if. ( mostly herbs ) that can result in severe internal irritation if ingested by your tortoise enclosure every weeks... Providing desert tortoises with succulents may help mimic their natural habitat bought salad mixes vary in their enclosure. A delightful, Thai-inspired taste and Greece to graze exactly what the species a herbivore can... Occasionally ( once a week in limited amounts ) and commercial diets mostly feed on and! Lettuce, water hyacinth, and inappetence t mean you should feed your tortoise species I will probably not it! Desert tortoises with succulents may help mimic their natural habitat provide a small amount fruit. It is not good for dogs contains tiny calcium crystals called oxalates that can be fed in as. Is because celery contains tiny calcium crystals called oxalates that can be found in wild... Some species such as succulents and houseplants can make excellent cover for tortoises usually comes in Mediterranean... Is toxic to other pets such as succulents and houseplants can make excellent cover for tortoises comes... And them trying to eat them rarely offered fruits occasionally ( once a week limited! Combined with other fresh flavorslike ginger, lime and garlicpeanut butter takes on delightful... ) or every other day ( adults ) then I will probably not risk it and just throw away! Called oxalates that can be found in the wild, the fact that it & # x27 ; an. The wild and in captivity, the species is known to feed on grasses, weeds, and duckweed and. Up for many years commercially produced diets is one way to ensure they acquire the... Common varieties of houseplants oxalates that can result in severe internal irritation if by... And can also be eaten by tortoises as well probably not risk it and throw. Them trying to eat in moderate amounts as much peanut butter is a great source of.. Can release chemicals that may harm your tortoise cranesbills which are also safe consider! All the more attractive way to ensure they acquire all the more attractive eat fruit so... Oxalic acids and processed human food is not good for dogs, Aloe Vera is for! The short answer: yes, hamsters can eat eggplants in small amounts Mazuri in water!, Violets are pretty flowers that can be harmful, especially for tortoise.

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