Can Hermann tortoises eat dandelion flowers?
Tortoises can eat dandelions, but consumption should be limited to 2-3 times per week due to their high oxalate content. Oxalic acid is a calcium inhibitor, which prevents the absorption of the calcium needed to make vitamin D. Dandelion stems, leaves, and flowers are all safe to eat in moderation.
Dandelions are a firm favourite with tortoises, and although they can be quite high in oxalates (with the older leaves having the highest content), and they also have mild diuretic properties, it is perfectly safe to feed them as part of a wider, varied diet.
Off-limits vegetables include eggplant, broccoli, chili pepper, alliums, wild mushrooms, and unripe tomatoes. Citrus fruit, avocado, and gooseberry are bad for tortoises. Also, avoid feeding tortoises prickly lettuce and wild lettuce. Certain tortoise species will find that different foods make them unwell.
Suitable plants include dandelion, globemallow, nopals (Opuntia cactus) and plantain. Tortoises will eat not only leaves, but also shoots, stalks and flowers.
A Hermann's tortoise's diet consists of vegetation. Good foods include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers.
The best plants for tortoises include lemon balm, turtle vine, and aloe vera. Other options include dandelions, nasturtium, rose, gazanias, clover, cactus, geranium, and pansies.
...
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|
| Amaryllis | Amaryllis belladonna | 2 |
| Asparagus Fern | Asparagus sprengerii | 2, 3 |
| Arrowhead Vine | Syngonium podophyllum | 1 |
| Avocado (leaves, seeds) | Persea americana | 2 |
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.
Rose petals, lavatera, and calendula are all fine (leaves and flowers are OK -- although they might not eat rose leaves or calendula leaves -- you'll have to see). Other flowers (and leaves) you can give that are common in the garden are campanula, dandelion, abutilon hibiscus, pansies, and hardy geraniums.
Tortoises love to eat banana peels due to their color, texture, and flavor. On its own, a banana peel doesn't contain any toxins that are harmful to a tortoise. However, banana peels often have insecticides on their surface.
Should a tortoise eat everyday?
Healthy tortoises do eat every day but can easily skip a meal or two. On the colder months they do not necessarily eat every day. When tortoises hibernate, they do not eat for weeks as their metabolism slows down significantly.
Food and Water
Feed it once daily at the same time every day from several food trays spread throughout the enclosure. Give them as much food as they will eat within 15 to 30 minutes, or you can estimate the pile of food to offer should be about the size of the animal's shell.
Highly nutritious
From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins ( 1 ).
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers and leaves are nutritious favorites of many tortoises.
If a tortoise is out above 95 F ground temperature, it is close to dangerous conditions. Tortoises need to find adequate shade, although they can survive these temperatures for a short time. Dangerous- 103-113° F is critical maximum body temperature.
Drinking is crucial for baby Hermann's tortoises and additional soaks for 15 minutes in luke warm water, 3 to 4 times weekly are also wise.
No, Aloe vera is not poisonous or toxic to tortoises.
Parsley also contains high levels of oxalates, which interfere with the absorption of calcium and could potentially cause kidney damage, so although it is not a poisonous plant, and there is nothing to worry about if your tortoise has a nibble, you should avoid feeding it.
Tortoises are affectionate creatures, and they readily recognise their owners.
Logs, rocks, bathing dishes, moist hides, and dirt mounds are good choices for toys and enrichment. In addition to providing a clean and safe enclosure for your tortoise, you should give plenty of thought to enrichment objects and activities—otherwise known as toys!
What kind of dandelions do tortoises eat?
The dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is a little perennial with a pretty yellow flower. It is one of the most nutritious plants you can grow for your tortoise.
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.
Daisy (Lawn Daisy; Common Daisy; English Daisy)
The Daisy contains saponins and tannins and therefore should not be offered as part of a tortoise diet, although it won't harm if a few are discovered in the enclosure and the tortoise takes a nibble.
While some picky tortoises won't approach Marigolds, these vivid yellow flowers are still edible plants for tortoises. However, you must make sure that your tortoise is eating Marigolds from the Calendula family, such as Field and Pot Marigolds.
...
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|
| Amaryllis | Amaryllis belladonna | 2 |
| Asparagus Fern | Asparagus sprengerii | 2, 3 |
| Arrowhead Vine | Syngonium podophyllum | 1 |
| Avocado (leaves, seeds) | Persea americana | 2 |
Rose petals, lavatera, and calendula are all fine (leaves and flowers are OK -- although they might not eat rose leaves or calendula leaves -- you'll have to see). Other flowers (and leaves) you can give that are common in the garden are campanula, dandelion, abutilon hibiscus, pansies, and hardy geraniums.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers and leaves are nutritious favorites of many tortoises.
Tortoises love to eat banana peels due to their color, texture, and flavor. On its own, a banana peel doesn't contain any toxins that are harmful to a tortoise. However, banana peels often have insecticides on their surface. For humans, washing the peel before eating will negate this.
Although this plant is said to be toxic to cats, dogs and some other mammals, the Aloe is fine to feed to tortoises in moderation but if too much is fed it can have a slight laxative effect. Aloe Vera gel can be rubbed on minor skin wounds to aid healing.
Acceptable types of grasses include bermuda, clover, alfalfa, rye, rice, and sowthistle. Other fresh plants that can be grown for your tortoise to forage on include geraniums, violets, chard, grapes, nasturtium, and various herbs such as oregano, cilantro, and basil.
Can tortoises eat sunflowers?
Sunflowers and sunflower leaves are safe for tortoises, but they should not be fed regularly because they absorb a lot of nitrates from the ground. Nitrates are poisonous to cattle, as well as tortoises. It can cause pulmonary congestion, collapse, and even death.
Yes, tortoises can eat lavender. Lavender is not toxic or harmful in any way to tortoises.
Feeding large quantities of Rosemary is not recommended. However this plant is fine for planting in the enclosure to be used as a shelter plant as most tortoises do not relish it and most will ignore it. If the Rosemary plant is just nibbled on from time to time no harm will be done.
Basil can be fed in moderation, but because of its strong aroma and taste, your tortoise might not find it appetising.
Ripe tomatoes are safe to feed many tortoises, but they aren't necessarily good for them and should only be offered occasionally. Tomato plants and unripe tomatoes are toxic to tortoises and should never be fed.
Mint (Garden Mint, Spearmint, Apple Mint)
These are fine to plant in the tortoise enclosure and will do no harm if nibbled, although some tortoises will be put off by the strong aroma.
