Tortoise - Feeding

What do tortoises eat?

The vast majority of tortoises kept in captivity (Testudo genus, Leopard tortoises, Sulcata) are herbivorous. While they may, opportunistically, in the wild eat some animal protein, this does not form a large part of the diet and meat should be avoided in captivity.

For more specialized feeders (such as Red- or Yellow-footed tortoises, Pancake Tortoises) specialist advice should be sought.

How often should I feed my tortoise?

Most young tortoises eat daily; older tortoises can be fed daily or every other day, depending upon each pet's individual appetite. If being kept awake over winter this should be reduced to feeding every second or third day.

What are some types of plant material I can feed my tortoise?

Most (80-90%) of the plant material should be fibrous dark green leaves, and only 10-20% should be fruits and other vegetables. Ideally, on hot days tortoises should be allowed to graze on untreated lawn. This enables those that enjoy eating flowers (the Testudo graeca-type) to find and eat these.

Hay is an excellent source of fibre during the winter period.

Dark green leaves include grass, dandelions, cabbage, spinach, chard, kale, spring greens, etc. Feeding should not be restricted to a single type of leaf but two or three types each day. For small tortoises these may be chopped and mixed. Lettuce does not contain adequate calcium so should be avoided in growing tortoises.

Cucumber, tomato, strawberry, apple, pear, etc can be given in small amounts. It is best to avoid highly fermentable fruits (especially citrus fruits) as bloat may develop.

Peas and sweetcorn may be fed in small amounts. However, they are comparatively high in protein and so may cause shell deformities if fed in excess to growing tortoises. Clover, too, is high in protein and may cause similar problems.

DOG AND CAT FOOD ARE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!

Remember when tortoises are growing, that slow, good-quality shell growth is best. Too rapid a growth rate will result in shell deformities.

Do I need to give my tortoise vitamins?

It is hard to provide a full mixed diet in captivity. For this reason, young growing tortoises should be given a mixed Vitamin D/calcium/Vitamin A supplement each day. They also require access to full-spectrum ultra-violet light (sunlight or from a lamp).

Older tortoises may not require vitamin supplements unless they are receiving a very restricted diet.

What about water?

It is often pointless providing dishes of water. Tortoises rarely, if ever, drink from bowls. They will bathe and drink but will then urinate and defaecate in it!

It is therefore best to bath tortoises once or twice a week (more often in the immediate pre- and post-hibernation period). This gives them the opportunity to drink as well as stimulating urination/defaecation.