 |
 |
 |
| Healthy
Diet |
| Dandelion |
| Sow Thistle
|
| Clover
|
| Wild Pansies
|
| Vetches
|
| Plantains
|
|
Grass
|
| Turnip
Leaves
|
| Beetroot
Leaves
|
| Broccoli
|
| Celery
& leaves
|
| Marigolds
|
| Cauliflower
|
| Carrot Leaves
|
| Spinach
|
| Alpine Plants
|
| Watercress
|
| Honeysuckle
|
| Cabbage
|
| .
|
|
Not
so Healthy Diet
(Feed only
occasionally)
|
| Lettuce |
| Cucumber |
| Tomatoes |
| . |
|
Fruit
(Little amounts on rare occasions) |
|
Apple |
|
Strawberries |
| Pear |
|
Peach |
|
Melon |
| .
Grapes |
| . |
|
Avoid
Feeding |
| Bananas |
| Bean
sprouts |
| Peas |
| Green
beans |
| Brussels
sprouts |
| . |
|
Never Feed |
| Meat |
| Cat
or Dog Food |
| Dairy
products |
| Cakes/Biscuits |
| Bread
products |
| Processed
food |
|
|
|
 The
correct diet for a tortoise is High in fibre and calcium and low in fat and
protein. This is best highlighted when we look
closely at the diet of tortoises in the
wild. Studies show that these
tortoises graze on grasses, eat
various plants, flowers, buds and roots all providing a protein and
fat free diet.
What tends to happen with captive tortoises, they are introduced to our
own types of foods and because they are normally high in sugar
and protein, they taste better.
Unfortunately in the past tortoises have
been fed on dog and cat food, bread,
cheese, milk and list is endless. This type of diet is totally unnatural
and the tortoise will suffer the consequences of a poor diet
by firstly showing outward signs such as a lumpy shell and being
overweight. The long-term damage is
much more worrying with liver and kidney failure.
In order to provide your tortoise with
a good diet, think of low fat and
high in fibre, weeds and course green vegetables, herds and
edible plants are ideal. For a full
list of foods to offer and poisonous plants, we refer you to our
Feeding Manual. All food offered should be washed and a food
 supplement can be applied
every 3rd day to ensure the tortoise is getting the correct amount
of calcium in their diet.
The society produces In depth manuals
on all aspects of tortoise care from feeding and
breeding to hibernation etc. and they are available
to members and non-members for a small charge.
For further assistance please
contact us. |
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