Feeding
Tortoises are herbivores, so they need a varied high fibre diet, high in calcium, low in fat and protein. Tortoises should eat a very varied diet of weeds and flowers with calcium supplement.
Safe weeds/plants include; plantains, dandelion leaves and flowers, hawkweeds, mallow, sow-thistle, chickweed catsear, hibiscus flowers, nasturtiums, pansies and violas.
Safe vegetables are; rocket, watercress, lambs lettuce, carrot tops and kale.
Foods such as broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, cabbage and tomato shouldn’t be fed to your tortoise as they can cause internal issues.
Please note that this isn’t a full list.
Tortoises food should be dusted with a calcium supplement such as Calci-dust, to ensure they are getting the right levels. The Calci-dust should be applied lightly like salt & pepper. A cuttlefish can also be added to their enclosure which will also help trim their beaks. Fresh water should always be available.
If housing your tortoise outside, you can buy a prepared mix of tortoise feed seeds, which you can plant for the tortoise to encourage foraging. You can also grow the seeds to pick and feed to your tortoise as you please.
Pelleted food can be offered occasionally but most brands are too high in carbohydrates. If you want to offer pelleted food the best one is Pro-Rep Tortoise Food because it is made up of dried weeds.
