What do you feed a pet desert tortoise?

What do you feed a pet desert tortoise?

Feeding. Desert tortoises are strictly herbivores and need a high fiber, moderate protein, low fat, and calcium rich diet. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the diet should consist of grasses, weeds, and dark, leafy greens while only 15% should be hard vegetables.

What is the healthiest food for a tortoise?

At home, feed them lots of dark leafy greens, alfalfa, and grasses to ensure they’re getting the right nutrition. They will also love some dandelions or prickly pear cactus when you can find it; they make a great addition to your tortoise’s diet.

Can I feed my desert tortoise lettuce?

Do not feed the tortoise lettuce, as it has no nutritional value. Too much protein can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as shell deformations, so avoid feeding desert tortoises cat and dog food, soy, tofu and animal protein.

What should you not feed a desert tortoise?

They cannot tolerate improper diets rich in fruits or animal fats. Please do not make the mistake of viewing a tortoise as if it were a child or typical pet (dog or cat.) They are reptile specialists with specific needs. The desert tortoise is herbivorous, feeding mostly on native grasses, leafy plants and flowers.

Can desert tortoises eat carrots?

Vegetables, especially dark green, leafy vegetables, can be used for the remaining 20 percent of a desert tortoise’s diet, as they’re rich in vitamins and minerals. Suitable vegetables include carrots, green beans, endive, kale and turnip greens.

Can desert tortoise eat cucumber?

Cucumbers are low in calories, healthy, and safe for tortoises to consume. They don’t contain any toxic compounds that could upset your tortoise’s digestion. However, cucumber should only be offered in moderation because it mainly contains water and only small amounts of vitamins and minerals.

What fruit and veg can I feed my tortoise?

Fruit eating tortoises can eat melon, raspberries, blackberries and grapes. You can also offer sweet desert apple, in sliced small amounts. Mango can also be eaten, although this can be very sticky and attract wasps.

Can a tortoise eat carrots?

Greens and vegetables: Vegetables should be about 10-15% of the diet. These can include: grated raw carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, corn on the cob; greens such as collards, dandelions, escarole, romaine, kale.

Is cucumber good for tortoises?

Cucumber can be offered to help with hydration, or prescribed medication can be hidden within it and offered to the tortoise as a tasty treat. The leaves and flowers of the Cucumber plant may be fed in small amounts to all species. Tortoises easily become addicted to store-bought diets so avoid long term use.

Is spinach OK for desert tortoises?

Avoid: canned and frozen vegetables, dairy products, breads, and celery. SPINACH has nutrients but also contains OXALIC ACID. Oxalic acid binds calcium making it UNAVAILABLE to the system. Avoid spinach.

Can a tortoise eat cucumber?

Can a tortoise eat broccoli?

Yes, broccoli is an excellent source of nutrition for tortoises. We highly recommend it as part of their regular diet. That said, turtles shouldn’t overeat broccoli.