Food is an essential part of your turtle’s life. By following a good diet, it strengthens his immune defenses, meets all his needs and, inevitably, allows him to live a normal life without health concerns. What do you absolutely have to give him daily? What does she need? What should be avoided? We will enlighten you on these specific points.
Your tortoise is a herbivorous reptile. However, in nature, she is more opportunistic and spends her time eating what she can find. It therefore happens to feed on small insects. In captivity, the ideal is to compose a menu that is both varied and precise. It must consist of 90% vegetables and only 10% fruit. Of course, forget all proteins of animal origin. Their digestive system will not accept the meat diet. She doesn’t need it to meet her nutritional needs anyway.
Above all, in captivity, your turtle will tend to exert itself much less than in the wild, where it is constantly looking for food. In fact, there is no need to feed it in such large quantities. Like the iguana or the lizard, its calcium needs are 1.5 to 2 times higher than those of phosphorus. This contributes to the solidification of his bones.
The vegetables
This is the basis of your turtle’s diet. Vegetables allow it to have a rich fiber intake. Thus, plants such as dandelion, clover, watercress, plantain, nasturtium, lamb’s lettuce or even alfalfa are excellent for its health. To this, there are a whole lot of foods that she can ingest without worry. In detail: mauve, bindweed, but also sedum. We can also mention the following plants: vetch, sainfoin and cardamine.
Curly chicory and turnip greens are also good for her, as are radish tops, althea flowers, bignone flowers, hollyhock and snapdragon flowers, but also nasturtium flowers.
Turtles are fond of vegetables such as courgettes, endives, spinach, beets and celery.
The secret of a good diet is to vary your pleasures. She should not have the same foods under her nose every day, otherwise she could get tired. As in nature, do not hesitate to change its menu a little every day. She will appreciate it even more.
The fruits
They must accompany your turtle’s meals. Do not give it every time, but for example once in 3 or 4. She particularly appreciates the following fruits: strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, currant, blueberry, apple, pear, melon, grape, mandarin, kiwi, watermelon .
A vitamin supplement
To avoid the development of deficiencies, it is recommended to introduce, once a week, a vitamin/calcium supplement in his meal. Offered in the form of a powder to be sprinkled on fruits or vegetables or small granules, the supplement ensures a balanced ration. And this will solidify its shell, thus being able to better receive the rays of the sun.
Foods to avoid!
Many foods are prohibited in your turtle’s diet. They are dangerous or poisonous. Thus, the list is not exhaustive and includes mahogany, amaryllis, avocado, chervil, hemp, cypress, lyre fig, mistletoe, holly, hyacinth, daffodil, jasmine, oleander, lily, lupine, mandrake, mimosa, lily of the valley, narcissus, marigold, wild sorrel, rosemary or even sage, tobacco and tulip. Note that lettuce causes kidney problems. It should not be given.
Also read: Feeding a turtle
Many foods are greenery growing in gardens, so be vigilant if your tortoise can roam freely.
In summary
The diet of your herbivorous tortoise is 90% vegetables and 10% fruit. It should be supplemented once a week with a vitamin and calcium supplement, which you sprinkle on food. Alternatively, pellets can be given, especially when your reptile is sick or young. Always prefer fresh food.
