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.”