What types of flowers can Russian tortoises eat?
| Latin name | Common name/s | edible parts |
|---|---|---|
| Bellis perennis | English Daisy | all |
| Buddleia spp. | Butterfly Bush | |
| Calendula officinalis | Pot Marigold | all |
| Capsella bursa-pastoris | Shepard's purse | all |
Russian Tortoises are grazers and enjoy broad leaf plants. The best diet is a variety of weeds (leaves and flowers). Dandelion is a favorite.
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.
Rose leaves and flower petals are fine as a treat but you must never feed the blooms from store-bought bouquets as plants might have been sprayed with insecticides.
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.
Yes, tortoises can eat lavender. Lavender is not toxic or harmful in any way to tortoises.
They love to eat and generally prefer leafy greens. Ideally, they should consume a high fiber diet of hay, dark lettuces, and greens such as collards, kale, and turnip, mustard, and dandelion greens, along with various vegetables, including squash, corn, peppers, carrots, prickly pear cactus, and sweet potatoes.
All parts of the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) are poisonous to Russian tortoises, causing mental confusion, digestive problems and irregular heartbeat when ingested.
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.
- Collard, turnip, rape, and mustard greens.
- Kale, cabbage, kohl rabi, chard.
- Endive, Escarole, green-leaf, red-leaf lettuces.
- Red or curly lettuces.
- Arugula, rocket, 'corn salad', 'lamb's lettuce'
- Parsley, watercress.
- Carrot or radish tops.
- Sprouts.
What is poisonous to tortoises?
...
| 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 |
Failing to pick up all the blossom from fruit trees will do no harm during the short season they are on the ground but don't offer as extra. The stones from the cherry fruit contain cyanide and should be avoided.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers and leaves are nutritious favorites of many tortoises.
The Pot or Field Marigold flowers and leaves are fine for the tortoise enclosure as part of a varied diet, although they may not enjoy them.
All parts of the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) are poisonous to Russian tortoises, causing mental confusion, digestive problems and irregular heartbeat when ingested.
All tortoises enjoy both the flowers and leaves of most hibiscus from the Mallow family. Confusion often arises with Hibiscus syriacus being commonly called Rose of Sharon as St John's Wort (Hypericum) is also known as Rose of Sharon and is toxic; so be sure of the correct identity before offering.
