San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society

Recommended Desert Tortoise Diet

 


Desert tortoises are vegetarians. They thrive on a varied plant diet that is high in fiber and calcium, low in phosphorus, and pesticide-free. Avoid plants high in oxalic or phytic acid. Focus on grasses, edible weeds, flowers and spineless cacti. Do not feed any animal protein to tortoises. Don’t forget, tortoises also need plenty of sunlight and fresh water. The recommended diet guidelines below should help you maintain a healthier desert tortoise.

 

 


90% of the diet should come from weeds, grasses, and flowers such as:       


   

Clovers (Trifolium spp.) and Clover Hay

Coreopsis

Daisy (English: Bellisperennis; African: Arctotis,

    Dimorphotheca, Osteospermum)

Dandelions (Taraxacum officianale)                     

Endive

Escarole

Gazania

Geraniums

Grape Leaves (Thompson & Concord,

    not Grape Ivy!)

Grasses such as: Common Bermuda, Timothy, Buffalo

Rye, Fescue, Kikuyu, Dallas, Bluegrass

Hibiscus: flowers, leaves

 

 

 

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymemum): flowers

Kale

Mallows (Malva spp.)

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.)

Nettles (Lamium spp.)

Opuntia cactus  (Prickly Pear)

Petunias

Rose: flowers

Sedums

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum)

Spinach

Violet, Pansy (Viola spp.)

Wandering Jew (Tradescantia)            

Watercress

Zinnia


 

Feed sparingly or as an occasional treat:

 

Beet greens                                                                               Mustard greens

Bell pepper                                                                                Parsley

Broccoli (cooked)                                                                       Romaine

Brussel sprouts                                                                         Swiss chard

Cauliflower                                                                                 Turnip greens

Collards                                                                                   

Fruit: apples & pears (no seeds), berries, mangos, plums

  & peaches (no pits), melons (except watermelon) with

  scrubbed rinds, pineapple

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Cohen, Mary. (1992), Native Plants for Desert Tortoises, (www.tortoise.org), originally published by Tortuga Gazette 28(2): 6-7, Feb. 1992.

Eds. of Sunset Books & Sunset Magazine (1995). Sunset Western Garden Book. Sunset Publishing Corp.

Highfield, A.C. (1988-2000), The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual. Carapace Press, London.

Lewis, W.A. & Elvin-Lewis, P.F. (1977), Medical Botany: Plants Affecting Man’s Health. John Wiley & Sons.

San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society. (www.sdturtle.org)

The Bridge. (June/July/August 1996). “Plants that Poison: The Revised List.”

www.tortoise.com. (12/29/00). “Desert Tortoise Diet Sheet

www.tortoise.org. (12/29/00). “Growing Food,” “Foods to Avoid,” “Prepared Food

www.turtlecafe.net. (1/3/01). “Edible Landscaping for Turtles & Tortoises,” “What to Feed Our Russians

www.library.thinkquest.org. The Tortoise Treasury. (12/29/00). “Feeding