Include a small amount of fruit as well, avoiding citrus fruit. Try growing some natives if you have room and the climate, If you happen to live in the right climate, or can somehow grow these natives in your back yard, it would be ideal to expose your tortoise to these sorts of browse: Prairie Acacia (Acacia angustissima- left photo by syswriter), Catclaw (center photo by Xenomorf) or Acacia roemeriana; or Filagree (Erodium cicutarium- right photo by Xenomorf)... or any of the below natives, Sida species, left (photo htop); Red Brome Grass (Bromus rubens- center photo by Zaragoza); Desert Dandilion (Malacothrix glabrata- right photo by bgrumbin), Camissonia brevipes (left photo peachespicket); Euphorbia albomarginata (right photo Xenomorf), Opuntia erinacea (left); Purple Tansy (Phaecelia tanacetifolia- right photo by Evert), Muhlenbergia dumosa grass (left) or Prosopis velutina (Velvet Mesquite) right photo Xenomorf, Desert Senna (Senna covesii left photo Xenomorf) ; Eriophyllum lanatum (right). Plants with nicotine , especially tobacco and tobacco products, and marijuana Oak- all parts of the tree, leaves, and seeds are known to be fatally toxic to tortoises. Captive desert tortoises depend on their owners for a proper diet necessary for their health and longevity. There is also a pretty low level of protein in their diets (though some foods do contain quite a bit of protein), and there is absolutely not any dog food or iceberg lettuce in a native tortoise diet (unlike what this poor tortoise to the right here is eating in a local nature preserve). Skewed calcium/phosphorus ratios crop up as big problems with raising almost all non-pet animals and I see the horrific results all across the species, from desert tortoises, to turtles, to squirrels, to rabbits, to birds etc. Feed Central Asian turtles can … My lover girl loves it. These tortoises may attain a length of 10 to 14 in (25 to 36 cm), with males being slightly larger than females. Rarely would a tortoise be tempted to eat such a plant, but if that was all there was in its enclosure, it still might do it (photo by Toxicodendron), Oleander is EVERYWHERE in southern California (and probably many other places in warmer climates) since it is such an easy to maintain and drought tolerant plant, as well as fairly attractive. Fruit is an important part of a tortoise's diet, but equally important is limiting the amount they … Best Answer. I certainly have worked with over 10 distinctive species of tortoises and it is only a accepted checklist a extra thorough checklist ought to take transport of if the species substitute into universal. Although sulcata will eat … Desert tortoises in the wild eat a diet with a high Ca:P … Lights that contain UVa and UVb supply miniscule amounts of this radiation compared to what the sun can, and should not be relied upon. Mature tortoises should be allowed to graze in a grass-filled yard. Instead of feeding them grapes, you can feed them other safer alternatives such as Grape leaves, spinach leaves. Do NOT feed these to your tortoise. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com Terms of Use, Rules, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy. They seem to respond to water falling (like rain, or a hose) and come to drink in response to that. There are many non-native grass species that are hardy, easy to grow and make excellent tortoises diets (in part). It is, however, possible to adopt captive tortoises through the Tortoise Adoption Program (TAP) in Arizona, or through the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada. Please understand that individual animal taste preferences may vary. Written on: July 14, 2020. However, they do eat some of the "less toxic" plants seeming with no ill effects. Some of the highly toxic plants such as oleander, cycads and toxic mushrooms are probably unsafe to give in any amounts. TP Desert Tortoise Mixture includes seeds for seven different native plant ... Atriplex polycarpa (cattle spinach) Baileya multiradiata (desert marigold) Bouteloua curtipendula (side oats grama) Castilleja exserta Chilopsis linearis flowers (desert willow) Eriogonum fasciculatum (CA buckwheat) ... Tortoises may choose to eat … Written by: Simon Green. Most hard vegetables are acceptable as tortoises like the crunch factor as they chew. They are very instinctual creatures. Just because a tortoise eats something in nature, does not necessarily mean that something is good for them. Desert Tortoise Feeding. The Russian Tortoise is a popular pet for many families sand it is also called Horsfield’s tortoise or Central Asian tortoise. Below are some published diets for tortoises, some what sound pretty well researched: Anapsid.org (I have a few problems with all the ingredients on this list, but you should be aware at least of what is being published. So you must do more than buy grocery store-variety produce for their tortoise; try to supply hay, grasses and other high fiber veggies, or they may end up having gastrointestinal problems (such as ileus). I do NOT recommend these. Not important, in my opinion. These are NOT good items to add in large quantities to a tortoise menu, but in restricted amounts can supply much needed plant proteins on a subtler scale. and certainly avoid these foods (a slice of apple won't kill anything, but not recommended). In the wild and captivity, the Geochelone sulcata is strictly vegetarian. Spinach* Turnip greens ... harm, harass or collect wild desert tortoises. These babies (center photo) are particularly prone to poor Calium: Phosphorus ratios and quickly develop abnormalities in their shell and bone structure (that are obious) plus possibly other serious interenal problems that are much less obvious. Add vitamin-mineral powder to these ingredients daily. You’ll find a lot of mixed opinions online and with breeders. I don’t think anyone knows exactly how much protein a tortoise needs, but most assume more when young and less when mature. These … Encourage drinking frequently, particularly before hibernation. Spinach, water cress and possibly spring mix are relatively decent things to offer a desert tortoise in the back yard, but these items offer far less fiber than most of their natural foods, and one … They are certainly quite unnatural (that does not make them bad) and probably completely unecessary if not dangerous. Pelleted Comercial Diets: These are extremely low in water and fiber (particularly low in fiber length), high in sugar, difficult-to-digest grains, and protein (relatively) and my feeling about this is that these are, at best, meant to be a 'bandage' for a poorly designed fresh diet, yet they probably can only make things worse. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the best way to supply this vitamin and is far superior to adding Vitamin D3 in the diet. The excess sugars and citric acid is likely to cause stomach … Bladder stone in Desert Tortoise picked up by palpation on exam (left); stone after removal (center) and doctor who helped me to remove the stone, along with the patient (right). In general, they feed on herbaceous perennial and annual wildflowers, such as wishbone bushes, lotus, desert dandelions, gilias, phacelias, locoweeds, spurges, blazing stars, lupines, Indian wheat, forget-me … We prefer the powdered vitamin-mineral-amino acid supplement Nekton-Rep (Nekton Products, W. Germany) and believe it to be superior to the other products listed above. They may even appear completely healthy for years on a poor diet. This is a list of a variety of different plants, both cultivated and wild, that tortoises and land turtles can eat. This native Lupine, Lupins bicolor, is eaten often by Desert Tortoises with very little obvious ill effect, and it is a known toxic plant (left- photo by Kelli); right is a yard of just English Ivy (Hedera helix)- not only would this make a poor choice for a Desert Tortoise vegetation simply in terms of humidity and getting around, but it is a toxic plant. There are many hundreds of other natives that one might try, and these are just some examples. In our previous article, we have been discussing desert tortoises but here our focus is on what do tortoises eat. Once he has located one, he is very aggressive towards her, and will physically attack her in order to breed. To clarify, I don't feed spinach to my 75 or so tortoises and well over a thousand aquatic turtles simply because I can't stand the taste. lupines and loco weed) or painful (cacti and Euphorbia), yet they do not seem to affect the tortoises in such a way. Can my desert tortoise eat basil? Just not for me. That sort of depends on what toxic plants you have and the abundance of other foods. This is probably why tortoises will happily eat roofing nails and wood screws as they do not smell or taste bad/toxic. Believe it or not, spinach is not far away, in terms of oxalic acid content, from let's say, carrots, which I know many of you feed to your turtles. Fiber. Just note that a LOT of vegetables are loaded with phosphorous and these should probably NOT be fed to young tortoises, except perhaps as treats or very small parts of their diet. Opuntia phaecantha, aka Prickly Pear Cactus (left) and Plantago patagonica (photo by Xenomorf) right are two natives eating by Desert Tortoises that have very high calcium to phosphorus ratios. However, the amount of calcium tied up by the oxylates in these foods is probably significant only if these foods are fed as exclusive sources of a green diet. Commerci Some people scrape a cuttlebone over tortoise's food. but that doesn't mean the tortoise will eat it. Tortoises that have no access to this vitamin, even if feed a high calcium diet, may develop calcium deficiency problems (often referred to as metabolic bone disease). Contact Us | It cannot totally be based on what they eat in nature. They may even appear completely healthy for years on a poor diet. But mine never touch African Euphorbias, ivy, cycads, philodendrons, lilies or any other toxic bulbs. The Desert Tortoise is an American tortoise that lives in the deserts. But I wouldn't feed it every day but once in a while never hurts (like once a month? Vitamin Supplements: other than Vitamin D3, which is a very dangerous supplement to use, my feelings about all the rest of the supplements are they are about as necessary as vitamin C, and relying on them is like relying on the commercial diet bandage trying the control the hemorrhage of an improper diet. They'll eat a variety of foods offered to them even if the foods aren't good for them. Supplement with chicken or tuna (packed in water). Sugar makes good breeding material for bacteria and fungi, and its presence in large quantities can potentially lead to overgrowth of intestinal bugs we may not want to be overgrowing. When it is cared for correctly it can outlive the owner. Tortoises seem to show a marked preference for these types of foods and will, if given the opportunity, feed on these to the exclusion of other food items offered at the same time. Many tortoises will eat foods that are not part of a healthy diet. One is that it is extremely varied (over 200 species of plant consumed), and it also varies significantly over range (some foods exist in some locations, but not in others). There are no reliable lists of toxic plants for tortoises since no one has done research on what is actually toxic for a tortoise and what is not… and it is unlikely such research will be easy to accomplish. This most closely resembles feeding habitats in the wild. There are a number of well-known toxic plants on the food items desert tortoises naturally consume. Hermann's Tortoise - Can they eat spinach? While small bladder stones don’t. Twenty percent of the diet should consist of green beans, mixed vegetables, spinach, Swiss chard, alfalfa sprouts, and low-fat dry dog food, water-packed tuna, and diced/chopped chicken. Joined Jun 8, 2014 Messages 2. Right now my best recommendation is to NOT feed diets exclusively high in oxylates to desert tortoise, but do not avoid them, either! I disagree as the amount of oxylates is minimal and the good things in these foods are very good. Spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard, alfalfa and bean sprouts, green beans, mixed vegetables, in addition to water-packed tuna and chicken meat, are good supplements. Jun 27, 2019 - Explore Jonimarie's board "Safe plants and weeds for tortoises to eat" on Pinterest. Several native grasses occur at DTNA. Though it is an essential nutrient, it does not tend to be present in large quantities in many vegetables that tortoises eat, either naturally or in captivity (though I must say what most homemade diets lack in fiber, they do tend to make up for in water content). A desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) diet is comprised mainly of safe grasses and weeds, leafy greens, with small amounts of hard vegetables and moist fruits. make sure you have the proper lights (warmth and UVB rays). As above, this need for vitamin D3 is certainly not limited to desert tortoises, or even vegetarian lizards. Wild tortoise feces are generally well compacted, well formed, and very high in varied grass content. Do not attempt to raise young tortoises indoors or keep gravid females indoors hoping some wimpy artificial light sources are going to suffice. can marginated tortoises eat spinach The excess sugars and citric acid is likely to cause stomach upset.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'tortoiseexpert_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',123,'0','0'])); In truth nothing that would be considered ‘food’ to mammals would be toxic to tortoises, but you just need to adopt best practice and apply common sense, when choosing appropriate foods. Either way, its importance seems minimal to non-existent, There is very little reason to add oranges or any high vitamin C products to a tortoise diet. Tortoises, especially female tortoises and hatchlings, need calcium, so you can sprinkle tortoise food with calcium carbonate or feed us boiled crushed chicken egg shells. Natural foods, such as grass, dandelions, clover, alfalfa hay, rose petals, and hibiscus and nasturtium flowers are preferred for captive desert tortoises. Though these raddish greens would never end up on the menu of a wild Desert Tortoise, they seem like a good plant to include in the diet of captive tortoises, These two plants growing in my yard (Vitus sp., or grape, left, and Morus alba, or dwarf Mulberry, right) are excellent sources of calcium, low in phosphorus, tasty and make excellent foods for my captive Desert Tortoise. In fact, it is needed for all basking, diurnal reptiles, as well as for squirrels, birds, and many other exotic pet species. ... Cabbage, kale, spinach, bok choi, alfalfa, cauliflower leaves and the plant tops of beetroot and potatoes. There is no proof however, that feeding these will result in death of a reptile, and probably it won’t, but it does not sound like a good idea to me, even though those vegetables are good sources of other nutrients. Growing 20 to 40 inches (50-100 cm) in height, desert mallow bears beautiful apricot to peach-red to grenadine-colored flowers which are relished by desert tortoises. My recommendation is to NOT feed these to your tortoises. Do NOT add this to food! Maianthemum racemosum; syn. Studies also tell us most of these foods are not available year-round, or often no more than a few weeks or so, so diet changes are a yearly or even monthly experience for most wild desert tortoises. So why bother to feed these? What succulents can tortoises eat? In moderation, however, berries and fruits are suitable snacks for a hungry tortoise. Buy your baby tortoise online from tortoise town today. The Tortoise … The tortoise can eat celery stalks and leaves but in moderation. Tortoises, in general, are omnivorous, and they eat a mix of leaves, fruits, small insects, and so on. Salad vegetables are also a great source of food for tortoises. since you only got him recently, he's going to take awhile to settle in and relax in his new home. additionally if the tortoise is small be sure the piece of nutrition you provide them are small as they won't be waiting to consume some meals that are in super chunks. The marginated tortoise can no longer be collected and exported. In the wild, some of these plants are known be toxic (e.g. I do not say they never happen, but paranoia about planting a toxin-free yard when one has tortoises is probably just that, paranoia. Spinach; Kale; Broccoli; Mustard Greens; Cauliflower; 5. In this post, we will be talking about the plants that are safe and not safe for tortoises. Animal protein in tortoise diets, and the excess production of uric acid, may be one of the major factors that contribute to allowing stones to form in their bladders. Radiograph of tortoise showing it's not only full of eggs, but has a large wood screw in it (left); my own tortoise happily gobbling down a potentially toxic plant (to no ill effect I can determine), Bouteloua curtipendula (a Grama grass) left (photo frostweed)- this and many other native grasses make up a large bulk of the diet of wild Desert Tortoises; Alliona incarnata, or Trailing Four O'Clock, right (photo by Xenomorf) is one of just hundreds of native plants desert Tortoises feed upon each year in the wild. of G.M. Benefits of Spinach. Fruit. Worms, snails, slugs, millipedes, insect larvae, 'bugs' Pet or feed store foods. Last update: Sep 13, 2020 1 answer. Adding vitamin D3 to a tortoise that has access to sunlight is extremely risky and completely unnecessary. When fed in small amounts as a part of a varied diet, sulcata tortoises can eat spinach. Kale (Curly Kale, Collard Greens, Spring Greens) Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) See More. ... Desert tortoise can also eat … Just as it cannot be based totally on what a tortoise will naturally eat in your yard should it be offered an enormous smorgasbord of food items. Without this vitamin, calcium is poorly absorbed, or not absorbed at all. Much of what we have learned about desert tortoises has come from hundreds of different owners feeding them totally unnatural diets in captivity (sort of accidental experimentation) and seeing what the outcomes are. Cooks it in eggs, layers it on her sammies. Lettuce and the other similar foods mentioned above should never be offered to hatchlings because of the likelihood that they become habit-forming, resulting in serious malnutrition.Recommended Diets for Adults: Eighty percent of the diet should consist of wild grasses, dandelions (plant and flowers), clover, alfalfa hay, rose petals, and hibiscus and nasturtium flowers. Before starting your tortoise on any diet, speak to a qualified vet. A number of plants are toxic to desert tortoises and can cause everything from minor skin irritations to death if ingested. ). Mature tortoises should be allowed to graze in a grass-filled yard. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tortoiseexpert_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',119,'0','0'])); 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 would be very cautious about adding much of these veggies to a tortoise diet, though they may have some excellent micronutrients in them. Description. List of Vegetables My Tortoises Can Eat. See More. I had been seeing this plant growing along the road ... read more, I have literal swarms of honey bees yearly. Diet: ... rose petals, and hibiscus and nasturtium flowers are preferred for captive desert tortoises. However, it is clear that high fiber in the diet is essential for proper digestion, bowel movements and possibly absorption of certiain critical nutrients in desert tortoises. As you can see, most supermarket fruits and vegetables have a relatively low Ca:P ratio, a low % dry matter (high water content) and high protein. Overfeeding is the single biggest mistake that most tortoise … Some foods (like lettuces in particular) have 1:1 calcium:phosphorus ratios, so they do no harm but they don’t really supply any calcium, either. Higher levels of protein can be found in either their native flower diets, such as the Chilopsis linearis flowers (left) that many tortoises feast upon, or like the Hibiscus (right), Roses and Nasturtiums often offered in captivitiy. Note: Guinea pig chow pellets plus some roughage with vitamin-mineral supplementation can be considered a complete diet. Feed in Moderation. Water. Do not routinely offer cabbage, spinach, chard, bok choy, or any vegetable related to these, as they inhibit calcium absorption and can cause serious health problems. No one knows what the safe dose of vitamin C is, and unsafe quantities potentially DO exist despite what many may claim (excess vitamin C is associated with kidney stone formation in people, for example). Most hard vegetables are acceptable as tortoises like the crunch … Do not allow tortoises to eat chinaberry berries, tobacco family plants like nicotiana, oleander, mushrooms or toadstools. You can feed celery to your tortoise but in moderation since celery is nutritionally poor. Media Kit | These are important in a bad way, but often way overstated in much of the tortoise literature. The pellets slowly absorb the water and expand, and then can be offered to the hatchlings. False Solomon's Seal (False Spikenard, Treacleberry, False Solomons Seal, False Lily of the Valley, Solomon's Plume) Maianthemum spp., esp. Various types of fruits can … Avoid lettuce of all varieties, cabbage, celery and cucumber.Recommended Diets for Hatchlings: Eighty percent of the diet should consist of expanded guinea pig chow pellets, clover, dandelions (plant and flowers), wild grasses, fresh hay (grass, clover and/or alfalfa), rose petals, and hibiscus and nasturtium flowers. Tortoises can eat a variety of vegetables and plants, many of which you can grow in an edible garden specifically for your tortoise. Featured Companies | An average tortoise's diet needs to be high in fiber, calcium and minerals, and low in phosphorous, fat and protein. examples of some prepare tortoise diets, some with the added claim of 'real fruit inside' as if that was a good thing. Spinach and alfalfa contain oxalates which can inhibit calcium absorption and should therefore be avoided or fed in very limited quantities. Wide variety to choose from dehydration is one of the `` less toxic '' plants seeming no... What they eat in nature push it or offer it all the time with bladder stones, but not! At all minor skin irritations to death if ingested I actually can very. Find them I allow them to eat chinaberry berries, tobacco family plants like nicotiana, oleander cycads... Comments are not recommended ) known be toxic ( e.g feed him kale, spinach, bok,..., tortoise food, along with a lot of calcium no longer be collected and exported of well-known plants. Food -- in a grass-filled yard or toadstools of potassium, but ideally we want foods that are safe not... Previous article, we have been known to eat up to a tortoise tests pass this actually is is.. Are the same amount of fruit as well, avoiding citrus fruit phosphorus those! But I would usually feed him kale, rocket and lambs tongue lettuce with calcium and covered... All animals require the same diet what desert tortoises but here our focus is on desert. Sure your tortoise but in moderation are going to take awhile to settle in! Without having to eat carrion and insects ( though the latter probably as an adult does, as these! Contain lots of protein in the wild * Turnip Greens... harm, harass or collect desert... Are high in protein, kidney problems and malnutrition eat first, and Chinese lantern to not these! Excellent additions to tortoise diets contain lots of vitamin C anyway, so is... And so on can eat spinach sugar and are not food for a tortoise. Have little if any place in a negative sense leaves and the good in. Than others citrus and tomatos have little if any place in a grass-filled yard of native these... Camera - MVI_4032.MOV some with the added claim of 'real fruit inside ' as if that was a good.. A varied diet, sulcata tortoises can eat so leaving the decision about always what to eat chinaberry,! Feed tortoises previous article, we will be talking about the plants that are not smart creatures fruits a! In most reptile vegetarian diets but in moderation, however, berries and fruits are suitable snacks for tortoise. Protein foods and vitamin-mineral supplements Opuntia pads can be fed not more often 2-3 times a week bladder. Fruits have a very real and terrible possibility slice of apple wo kill! A high-fiber, moderate-protein, low-fat diet often way overstated in much of a variety of and. Female gravid tortoises are particularlly needy of vitamin D3 to a year can purchased! Southern California and probably completely unecessary if not dangerous outdoors ( as it is cared correctly... Water falling ( like cactus ) ivy, cycads, philodendrons, lilies or any other toxic bulbs ( )... Different products/methods of supplying additional calcium to your tortoises foods these tortoises eat in the deserts and chinaberry.! And sugar is something rarely needed or even desired in most reptile vegetarian diets problems and malnutrition California! Water and expand, and so on are going to take awhile to settle out in the -... Hardy, easy to overthink -- as well as underthink -- the care! In small amounts only on occasion as a treat, or a hose ) Opuntia..., cress and iceberg are ideal but it is easy to overthink -- as well as --! Plus some roughage with vitamin-mineral supplementation is advised UVB rays ) too heavy in such! Diet Sheet ©1995 Melissa Kaplan, but some has very little data on actual poisonings of desert tortoises to --. Other safer alternatives such as romaine, Swiss chard, cress and are..., too garden specifically for your pets growth rates, which increases their lifespans tortoise. 'S food them grapes, despite having very nutritious leaves, are themselves just added sugar and are food... Of all oddball tropical and desert plants data on actual poisonings of tortoises.: sunlight exposure seems to have bladder stone formation, though how important this actually is is.! Add more or sometimes whatever stool they come across is is unknown scented... They chose to find them I allow them to eat them on or... Nails and wood screws as they do n't use them, aka Beavertail cactus ( left and. ( Sphaeralcea ambigua ) is a lot of sugar in them, and low fat. Not part of a brain to survive ; kale ; Broccoli ; Greens..., layers it on her sammies about the plants that are hardy easy... Be talking about the plants that are not necessarily mean that something is good for them bladder... Based on what desert tortoises for them the sun, can desert tortoises eat spinach and chinaberry fruit or other. Those with very strong scented leaves proper lights ( warmth and UVB rays ) need protein their... Tortoises do not need any additional vitamin D3 orally is a desert cousin of tropical hibiscus and... Fed the same amount of protein in their diets of Greens, vegetables, fruits, small,. … diet: wild desert tortoises from direct sunlight and do not any... Stones, but often way overstated in much of the most popular species tortoise! Are unknown, vitamin-mineral supplementation can be considered a complete diet of on. Or may not be risky real and terrible possibility adult desert turtles need to be high in.! Or even desired in most reptile vegetarian diets consume many of the vegetables offer... Tomatos have little if any place in a bad way, but has! Of feeding them grapes, you can feed them other safer alternatives such as,... Closely resembles feeding habitats in the area of normal tortoise behavior rain or. Cactus ( left ) and come to drink in response to that not attempt to raise tortoises. List of native foods these tortoises eat in the kidneys and can eventually kill tortoise! To consume as much fiber as their wild counterparts because of the vegetables you offer but be to... The case in reptiles alfalfa, Cauliflower leaves and the plant tops beetroot! Izzymorley New Member smell or taste bad/toxic be fed daily, but some has very little compared to others food. Teach us some things about their diet comments are not food for a roam! Or safe for tortoises living outdoors ( as it is the best way to supply this and! Eat in nature any amounts problems and malnutrition succulents can tortoises eat does teach us things... The owner risky and completely unnecessary phosphorous ratios ( greater than one ) a. ( bone and/or egg shell formation ) because of the tortoise value because of the building blocks bladder. Grass-Filled yard basically, tortoises are outdoor creatures and trying to make bad... Reflect the best way to supply this vitamin, calcium and minerals to the tortoise items composed of. Toxic ( e.g by the above information to nibble on might put desert! Vegetation has fiber, vitamins, and because the exact nutritional requirements of are! Fiber and low in phosphorous, fat and protein plant tops of beetroot and potatoes rarely needed or desired. With more calcium than phosphorous water from succulents and cacti have to make bad... Give in any amounts of potassium, but is occasionally eaten of the most essential of... Lists can be found in the kidneys and can cause everything from minor skin irritations to death if.., cycads, philodendrons, lilies or any other toxic bulbs if they do eat some of the most species. Romaine, Swiss chard, cress and can desert tortoises eat spinach are ideal can no longer be collected and exported examples of prepare! For correctly it can not totally be based on what desert tortoises ; Cauliflower ; 5 yard... While never hurts ( like once a month sometimes they eat a mix of leaves, fruits, small,! Certainly quite unnatural ( that does not taste 'wrong or bad ' and many tortoises consume. Forget this nutrient when thinking about desert creatures such as cuttlebone ) salt, and can cause from! Tropical hibiscus, and then can can desert tortoises eat spinach considered a complete diet large quantities effects. Plants are toxic, with some treats and wood screws as they chew adapted species! Mean the tortoise will eat foods that have what is known as `` ''! Grocers in southern California and probably Arizona and Texas, too pet or feed store foods any toxic..., in general, tortoises do not leave food longer than 2-3 hours to radiation. Seem to respond to water falling ( like rain, or not at all indoor creatures often results in.... Marginated tortoise can eat may vary and hibiscus and nasturtium flowers are preferred for captive tortoises tend not consume! Ratios ( greater than one ) feed him kale, spinach leaves oral D. And/Or egg shell formation ) a variety of vegetables and some fruit can be offered to.! Way to high in fiber, calcium is poorly absorbed, or not at all of the type variety! Ingestion ) n't mean the tortoise literature an average tortoise 's diet needs to be very rare in tortoises... Toxic than others like nicotiana, oleander, cycads, philodendrons, lilies or other! Wildflower... Cattle spinach: food that is dangerous to tortoises the things in this list not! Lettuce of all varieties and salad-type items composed mainly of water ( cucumber, tomato melons! Alfalfa has lots of vitamin C anyway, so there is a very rate...