Tortoises can live an extremely long time, so it’s important to feed them the right diet to insure they stay fit and healthy.
But what do you feed a tortoise?
Tortoises need a varied diet that consists of fruit, veg and plants. Below you will find a list of all the fresh foods your tortoise can eat and foods you should never feed your tortoise.
Please note that it is essential to add multi-vitamin and calcium supplements to any fresh foods you give your tortoise.
Plants are an important part of your tortoise’s diet and should be given with every meal.
Dandelion
Dandelions are a good source of nutrients like vitamin A, C, K, fiber and calcium.
Clover
Clovers contain nitrates that can benefit your tortoise’s digestive system by killing off bacteria.
Chickweed
Chickweed is fine, however it does contain saponins (can prevent the absorption of nutrients in food) and reptiles are known to be sensitive to the effects of saponins. I recommend feeding in moderation only.
Plantain
Both broad and narrow-leaf plantains are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, minerals (zinc and potassium) and nutrients.
Sow thistle
Sow thistle is perfectly safe to feed your tortoise, however if you live in the UK and have found some growing in the wild, do no pick it as it is rare and is officially a protected plant.
Bindweed
Bindweed is purgative and laxative and too much of it can be harmful, I recommend only giving it to your tortoise once or twice a week.
Rose petals
Rose petals can be a great source of nutrition, just make sure that they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals that could harm your tortoise.
Antirrhinum
Antirrhinum is safe for your tortoise however these flowers closely resemble Toadflax, which is toxic so be sure of your identification before feeding it to your tortoise.
Hibiscus
All kinds of hibiscus are known to be safe for them and contain vitamins and nutrients such as iron, calcium and riboflavin.
Aubrietia
Both the flowers and leaves of aubretia plants are safe for your tortoise.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are an idea food for desert dwelling tortoises such as Sulcata, Russian and Greek tortoises.
Pansies
Both the flowers and leaves of all pansies are safe, just make sure they haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals that may cause harm to your tortoise.
Petunia
There are no reports of petunias being harmful to tortoises but there are rumours that this plant may be toxic. I recommend only feeding every now and then.
Bittercress
Bittercress is likely to contain goitrogens, which if consumed in large quantities can affect their body’s ability to absorb iodine. I recommend to only feed in moderation.
Black medic
Black medic is high in protein so only feed in moderation.
Bristly oxtongue
Bristly oxtongue is related to the dandelion and is safe to feed, however a lot of tortoises don’t find it tasty.
Broadleaf filaree
Broadleaf filaree are safe to feed your tortoise and are a good food to offer over the winter months.
Wild chicory
Wild chicory is fine to feed to your tortoise, however do not feed them the roots as they are high in starch and sugars. The roots are also known to contain a compound which has shown to damage retinal tissue in humans.
Creeping thistle
Creeping thistle is perfectly safe to feed your tortoise and I recommend that you pick the fresh/younger leaves if you have a small tortoise as they are easier to eat.
Dead nettle
Dead nettle are a good source of iron and vitamins A, C and K.
Field madder
Field madder is safe to feed to your tortoise and are a plant that my tortoises love.
Globe thistle
Globe thistle is non-toxic, but I recommend removing the spines if you are feeding it to a small tortoise.
Ground elder
Ground elder are fine as part of a varied diet.
Hawksbeard
Hawksbeards are safe but can be difficult to ID. Make sure you know that its hawksbeard before feeding it to your tortoise.
Hedge woundwort
Both the leaves and flowers are safe to feed your tortoise.
Kidney weed
Kidney weeds are safe for your tortoise to eat. My tortoises love it.
Knapweed
Knapweed is safe but some tortoises might not like it.
Mallow
Both the leaves and flowers are safe for tortoises and are a favourite for most.
Oilseed rape
Oilseed is safe but it contains goitrogens which could cause kidney and bladder issues if given in large quantities.
Scotch thistle leaves
Scotch thistle is safe for tortoises, and I recommend that you pick the fresh/younger leaves if you have a small tortoise as they are easier to eat.
Sea holly
Although sea holly is non-toxic, the sharp spines can cause injuries. I recommend taking the spines off before offering it to your tortoise.
Teasel
There is no evidence that teasel is harmful making it is safe to feed.
Violet
Violets are safe to feed and most tortoises find them yummy. Mine love them.
Bergamot
Bergamot is safe however do not get confused with bergamot orange as this is not safe to feed.
Bromeliad
Bromeliad are safe for tortoises to eat and can be used as edible decoration in your tort’s enclosure.
Evening primrose
Both the leaves and flowers are safe to feed and are a tortoise favourite.
Hollyhock
Both the leaves and flowers are safe to feed to tortoises.
Veg
Carrot
Carrots are high in potassium and protein so should only be fed in moderation. Carrots can help boost vitamin A if given in small amounts.
Cucumber
Cucumber can be offered to help hydrate your tortoise and also contains vitamin C. However like most veg it should only be fed in moderation.
Rocket
Although not toxic, rocket contains goitrogens which, if given in large quantities, can cause kidney and bladder stones.
Chard
Chard is high in oxalic acid so only feed in moderation. I also recommend that you make sure your tortoise is fully hydrated before giving it to them.
Courgette
While the flowers are safe if given in small quantities, the leaves and fruit from the courgette plant are not. The fruit can only be fed if you own a fruit eating tortoise.
Endive
Endive has a bitter taste that some tortoises don’t like however it is safe if fed in moderation.
Marrow
While the flowers are safe if given in small quantities, the leaves and fruit are not. The fruit can only be fed to fruit eating tortoises.
Pumpkin
The flowers and leaves are safe to feed your tortoise if given in small quantities. The fruit can be fed only if you own a fruit eating tortoise.
Radicchio
The leaves and flowers are safe to feed in moderation. However I don’t recommend feeding the roots as they can be toxic.
Romaine lettuce
Romaine lettuce is mainly water and only contains a small amount of vitamins. However is it perfectly safe to feed if given in small quantities.
Lambs’ lettuce
Lambs lettuce is safe to feed in a mixed diet.
Fruit
Fruit should only be given as treats and only if your tortoises is a fruit eating species. Non-fruit eating species are not adapted to handle all the suger and can develop intestinal problems.
Apple
Apples are safe if given in small quantities but avoid the pips/seeds as these contain cyanide.
Pear
Fresh leaves and flowers are safe if fed in moderation but do not feed to fruit unless you have a fruit eating species.
Grape
Grapes should only be given to fruit eating species.
Melon
The leaves and flowers are safe but only if given in moderation. The fruit is only safe for fruit eating tortoise species.
Plum
Plums are safe for fruit eating species but only in small amounts. Avoid feeding the stones as these contain cyanide.
Peach
Peach is safe for fruit eating species but only in small quantities. Avoid feeding the stones as these contain cyanide.
Blackberry
Only feed blackberrys if your tortoise is a fruit eating species.
Apricot
Apricot is safe for fruit eating species but only in small quantities. Avoid feeding the stones as they contain cyanide.
Raspberry
New leaves and flowers are safe to feed your tortoise in small quantities but do not offer them the fruit unless your tortoise is a fruit eating species.
Meat
Red-footed tortoises are omnivores meaning that they can also eat animal protein such as mice, rats and chicks. Meat makes up as small part of their diet but are an important source of protein.
Do not feed
These plants are toxic and may cause serious harm or even death to your tortoise if they eat it. If your tortoise has eaten any of the plants listed below, consult a veterinarian.
