In captivity, we often present our tortoises with large quantities of food, and it is easy for them to overeat, which can lead to shell growth deformities and other health problems. Dandelion flowers and leaves Lilac flowers and leaves Dead nettle with...Read More » And I was like they aren't supposed to have spinach because it limits there calcium intake and they said well the vet put him back on it. We are also often asked whether tortoises and other turtles can eat strawberries, raspberries and other berries. Tortoises like to eat a variety of different plants, vegetables and fruits. There are three things that should be at the core of any tortoises diet. Hi, my tortoise Phoenix-Vern seems to have trouble eating green beans as they are too tough, some say they are good for him so is there any way I can make them easier for him to eat? However for many , the ideal diet is just not available. Use leafy greens such as spinach and cabbage along with peas, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes and bell peppers. Suitable vegetables include carrots, green beans, endive, kale and turnip greens. However this is the real world and not all tortoise keepers have access to "ideal" food. So, I have this section as a starting point for a varied diet. Russian Tortoises are grazers and enjoy broad leaf plants. Geochelone sulcata - African Spurred tortoise - an arid habitat species adapted to a high fiber, very low protein diet. More edible plant lists can be found in the HELPFUL LINKS section, as can lists of dangerous plants. Feed vegetables in a dish to prevent the tortoise from ingesting gravel or sand, which causes impaction or irritation in the digestive system. In addition to vegetables, your tortoise will enjoy the occasional serving of fruit such as apples, peaches, pears and mangoes. Tortoises need a meal plan focused on key nutrients, supplemented here and there with some treats. The best diet is a variety of weeds (leaves and flowers). Grass, Grass and Grass. These sweet delicious treats can be part of a balanced tortoise diet. :/ In fact there are very few vegetables a tortoise will not eat. Below I have listed some common foods tortoises can eat and also some foods that should not be fed to tortoises. Compiled by A. C. Highfield. Defrosted bags of frozen vegetables are ideal as they contain a high level of nutrition and are in comfortable bite size pieces. Most species have evolved to consume the flora in their local ecosystem and adapt as needed to seasonal changes. With a few exceptions which I’ll cover below, tortoises on the other hand are strictly herbivorous, with a diet almost exclusively comprised of leafy green vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. The nutritional needs between tortoises varies between species so in this article we'll delve deep into the subject. Can Russian tortoises eat carrots green beans corn and oats? GREENS Most grocery stores have a decent selection of greens that Russians readily eat. So what are the alternatives that can keep our tortoises healthy and happy? In the wild, many species of tortoise live in hot, dry areas where food is scarce and they have to walk long distances to find enough to eat. Most hard vegetables are acceptable as tortoises like the crunch factor as they chew. That said other things can be served on a regular basis. FEEDING AND NUTRITION FAQ. Worms, snails, slugs, millipedes, insect larvae, 'bugs' Pet or feed store foods. My friend says that no vitamin or mineral supplements should be necessary if the diet is correct and well-balanced. However, they are particularly sweet and should only be eaten on rare occasions. A diet too heavy in treats such as berries and fruit can cause health complications including diarrhea, kidney problems and malnutrition. You can grow or buy the yummy treats below for your tortoise once in a while. We need you to answer this question! In moderation, however, berries and … Just be sure there are no pesticides on them and serve them raw, please. yes they can eat green beans..but don't give them to here everyday give them to her like 2 maybe 3 times a week if she likes them.i little bit of protein wont hurt her.my turtles don't bask they rome the back yard.i have a fenced in back yard maybe she just don't want to be in the sun.i don't think that's nothing to be worried about..hope i helped a little bit Simply put, tortoises eat plants. They tend to eat insects, small fish, and commercially available turtle food that’s higher in protein than equivalent products available for most tortoises. Just be sure there are no pesticides on them and serve them raw, please. Ok so the petsmart I got MoonPie from said he likes greenbeans and spinach. What foods can tortoises eat? The following greens are easily found in my local stores: What do tortoises like to eat? Ideally the greens should be organic and pesticide free. Q. Can turtles eat strawberries? We look at what they can eat, how much, how often and what foods they should avoid. If you have a pet tortoise, its essential to feed it a diet close to what it would eat in the wild.