Are you a tortoise owner? If yes, then you must be careful about the plants you choose to put in their enclosure. Tortoises are herbivorous animals and consume only vegetation. While there could be hundreds of plants or fruits available, being a responsible pet owner you should always check whether they are safe for tortoises or not. In this article, we will discuss various plants that are safe for tortoises to consume. We will also discuss some toxic plants which should be kept away from tortoises. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
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What plants can tortoises eat?
There are a variety of safe plants that tortoises can eat. Some of the best plants for a tortoise enclosure include:
Clover
These plants can be grown indoors or outdoors and provide a good source of hydration for your tortoise. Clover flowers are high in protein and a good source of vitamin A. Be sure to remove the flowers before giving them to your baby tortoise as they can cause digestive issues.
Dandelion
Dandelions are safe for tortoises and are a good source of vitamins A and C. You can either grow them in your garden or forage for them in the wild. Just be sure that they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides before feeding them to your tortoise.
Kale
Kale is safe for tortoises and is a good source of vitamins A, C, and calcium. You can grow kale indoors or outdoors. Be sure to wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides before feeding it to your tortoise. If you are growing it in your garden then avoid using any pesticide or fertilizers on it.
Kale is a good source of vitamins and minerals and can be fed to tortoises both fresh or dried. When feeding kale to your tortoise, be sure to remove the tough stem in the center of the leaf, as this may be tough for them to digest.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a safe plant for tortoises. It is a member of the mint family and has a lemon-like scent. This perennial herb is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. It grows up to two feet tall and has white or yellow flowers.
Lemon balm is safe for tortoises to eat and is a good source of vitamins A and C. It can also help relieve stress and anxiety in tortoises.
Turtle Vine
Turtle vine is safe for tortoises and is often used as a decoration in their enclosure. This plant is also known as the Callisia repens and can be found in most pet stores. This plant is a great source of Vitamin A for your tortoise and can help with shell growth.
Turtle vines are safe for tortoises and make great additions to their enclosure. However, due to its unique taste tortoises may end up overeating these plants when available to them. Giving them turtle vine in moderation is recommended.
Geranium
Geraniums are safe for tortoises and make a great addition to their enclosure. They are also a good source of food, providing tortoises with essential nutrients. Geraniums are easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, making them ideal for beginner tortoise owners. Both flowers and leaves of this plant are safe for your tortoises to eat.
Aloe Vera
This is one of the safe plants for tortoises. Aloe Vera has many benefits for tortoises. This plant is rich in vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains amino acids and folic acid. All these nutrients are essential for the growth and development of tortoises.
Aloe vera has a lot of water content. This succulent plant can provide hydration to tortoises. It is also a good source of fiber too.
Apart from being safe, Aloe Vera has many health benefits for tortoises. It can help in improving the digestion system of tortoises and also strengthens their immune system. This plant is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful in treating wounds and infections in tortoises.
Cactus
Cactus is safe for tortoises and they can actually eat the entire plant. The only problem with the cactus is that it has sharp spines which can hurt the tortoise. So, if you have a cactus in your tortoise enclosure, make sure to remove all the spines before giving them to your tortoise.
Cactus is a good source of water for tortoises and they will often hydrate themselves by eating the cactus. Cactus is also a good source of fiber for tortoises.
The Cactus plant is easy to grow and does not require much care, so it could be a good plant to have in your tortoise enclosure.
Hebe
The Hebe is a safe plant for tortoises and is actually one of the best plants that you can put in your tortoise enclosure. This is because the Hebe is a very hardy plant, and can withstand a lot of wear and tear from your tortoise. The Hebe is also a very drought tolerant plant, so you won’t have to worry about watering it too often. The Hebe is a safe plant for tortoises to eat and is actually a good source of food for them.
Grass
One of the most common plants that are safe for tortoises is grass. All types of grasses are safe for tortoises to consume. This includes Bermuda grass, Kikuyu grass, Timothy grass, and more. If you have a garden at home, you can easily grow these grasses and let your tortoise roam around freely.
Apart from being safe, the grass is also a very good food source for tortoises. It is a good source of fiber which helps in digestion and also contains other nutrients like Vitamin A, C, and E.
If you are keeping your tortoise in an enclosure, you can also grow grass inside it. This will provide a natural environment for your tortoise and will also ensure that it gets its daily dose of greens.
Parsley
Parsley is safe for tortoises and is a good source of vitamin C, and antioxidants. It also contains moderate amounts of fiber and protein. You can feed parsley to your tortoise fresh or dried. Parsley also contains a relatively high amount of oxalate so it should not be given in excess to your pet tortoise. Parsley is easy to grow with a very minimal care requirement, so it is a good plant to have in a tortoise enclosure.
Hosta
Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as plantain lilies. They are safe for tortoises to consume and are a good source of fiber. Hostas are also a good source of calcium and vitamin A for tortoises. These plants have large leafy greens that tortoises enjoy eating. While it is a great plant for the tortoise to munch on but is also a high-maintenance plant and requires frequent watering and fertilization.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other safe plants for tortoises to consume. When in doubt, consult with a veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper to get more ideas.
Additionally, many fruits are also safe for tortoises to eat as well. Some safe options include:
Apples
Apples are safe for tortoises and make a great treat. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins A & C, and potassium. Be sure to remove the seeds and stem before feeding them to your tortoise.
Bananas
Bananas are safe for tortoises to eat and are actually quite nutritious for them. They contain a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, you should only feed your tortoise ripe bananas as unripe ones can cause stomach upsets. You can either give them banana slices or mashed bananas.
Grapes
Grapes are safe for tortoises to consume and are actually a good source of hydration. While grapes may not have a lot of nutritional value, they are a good treat for tortoises. Make sure to wash the grapes thoroughly before feeding them to your tortoise.
Melon
Melon is safe for tortoises but should only be given as an occasional treat because of the high sugar content. Watermelon and Cantaloupe are the best kind of melon to give a tortoise. Honeydew Melon and Crenshaw Melon are also safe for tortoises but should only be given in small amounts. Always give your tortoise seedless watermelons as the seeds can cause intestinal blockages.
Again, this is not an exhaustive list but rather a starting point. When feeding fruits and vegetables to tortoises, it is important to wash them thoroughly first to remove any potential pesticides or other chemicals.
What flowers can tortoises eat?
There are many flowers that tortoises can eat safely. Some safe options include:
Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are safe for tortoises to consume and are actually quite nutritious. They contain a good amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Rose
Rose flowers are safe for tortoises to eat and contain a good amount of vitamin C. Roses also have antioxidant properties which can help boost the immune system. It is important to cut all the thorns off the flower before feeding it to your tortoise.
Sunflower
Sunflower flowers are safe for tortoises to eat and are a good source of vitamin E, and magnesium. Sunflowers are also a good source of fiber and protein.
Gazania
Gazania flowers are safe for tortoises to eat and contain a good amount of vitamins A, C, and E. Gazanias flowers are favorites for the desert tortoise such as sulcata tortoises. These are easy to grow plants and don’t require much care either.
Some other flowers that are safe for tortoises to eat are marigold, hollyhocks, nasturtium, pansy, geraniums, petunias, and zinnia.
Which plants should you avoid giving to your tortoise?
There are many plants that are safe for tortoises to eat, but there are also many plants that are toxic to them. Some common poisonous plants include:
- Azalea
- Chrysanthemum
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Iris
- Lily of the valley
- Oleander
- Rhododendron
- Tulip
- Yew
As you can see, many of these plants are common household plants or flowers. If you have any of these plants in your tortoise enclosure, be sure to remove them immediately.
FAQs:
Can tortoises eat dandelions?
All parts of the plant are safe for tortoises to consume, including the leaves, flowers, and roots. However, due to the presence of oxalate, it should not be given to tortoises regularly. Oxalate inhibits calcium absorption and can lead to health problems such as shell deformities.
Dandelions are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium. They are also high in fiber, which is important for a healthy digestive system. If given in moderation it is safe for tortoises.
Can tortoises eat roses?
The simple answer is yes, tortoises can eat roses. Roses are not toxic to tortoises and are actually a great source of vitamins A and C. Roses also contain a good amount of fiber, which is important for a healthy digestive system.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding your tortoise roses.
First, it is important to make sure that the roses you are feeding your tortoise are pesticide-free. Pesticides can be very harmful to tortoises, so it is important to only feed them roses that have not been treated with any pesticides.
Second, you should only feed your tortoise a small number of roses at a time. Roses are not a very good source of nutrition for tortoises, so they should only make up a small part of your tortoise’s diet.
The third is to check if the rose has thorns. If the rose has thorns, you will need to remove them before feeding the rose to your tortoise. The thorns can cause injury to your tortoise’s mouth or digestive tract.
If you follow these simple guidelines, then feeding your tortoise roses should not be a problem.
Can tortoise eat hibiscus flowers?
Yes, tortoises can eat hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers are safe for tortoises to consume and are a good source of various nutrition. Hibiscus flowers and leaves both are safe for tortoise consumption.
Can tortoises eat marigolds?
Yes, tortoises can eat marigolds. Marigolds are safe for tortoises to consume however tortoises are not a fan of this herb. It is also important to note that not all marigold plants are allowed for tortoises to eat. Only pot or field marigold leaves and flowers are safe for tortoises. Whereas other branches of marigold family-like tagetes are a big no for tortoises. Tagetes plants are poisonous to tortoises and can cause them respiratory problems or even kill them.
Can tortoise eat succulents?
The answer is both yes and no. While succulents are not toxic and safe for tortoises, giving too much to your tortoise would lead them to have a laxative effect. A safe amount to give your tortoise would be once a week at most.
Is chickweed safe for tortoises?
Chickweed is safe for tortoises when given in moderation. This plant contains saponins which can prevent the absorption of nutrients when consumed in large quantities. However, if given in moderation, chickweed is safe for tortoises and is actually a good source of nutrition. Chickweed is high in fiber and vitamins A, C, and E.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the safe plants for tortoises that you can grow in your tortoise enclosure. While there are many other safe plants for tortoises, these are some of the best ones that you can grow. Remember to always do your research before adding any new plant to your tortoise enclosure, as some plants may be safe for tortoises when consumed in small amounts but can be toxic in large quantities.
