Livestock
One of the common problems faced by tortoise keepers, is which plants are safe to feed to their tortoises. This page gives a list of the common plants which can be safely fed to your tortoises with accompanying pictures.
All of the plants below are suitable for consumption by tortoises:
Aloe vera
Antirrhinum - flowers & leaves
Aubretia - flowers & leaves
These are great for early spring, as they start growing before the weed season gets into full swing. Once more succulent plants are available, the seem to go out of favour.
Bindweed - flowers & leaves
This is a great plant as it is a very strong grower with large leaves and flowers. There are some reports of too much being a halucinogen, but my torts have never complained!
Bramble - Leaves only.
I always make sure that any thorns on the underside of the leaves are removed.
Cactus, opuntia (Prickly pear/Indian fig)
It is important to use the spineless varieties, or to despine them before feeding.
Campanula
Chickweed
Clover - flowers & leaves (both red and white)
An excellent addition to the diet. Quite high in protein, so not to be fed exclusively to babies.
Dandelion - flowers & leaves
The staple for many. Big leaves, easily recognisable, and abundant.
Dead Nettle - leaves
Found growing wild as well as in gardens.
Gazania - flowers & leaves
Well liked by tortoises and very attractive in the garden. Let them get well established and then pull a leaf or two off each plant every few days for a constant supply.
Geranium species (perrenial) - leaves & flowers
A vigourous species which provides foliage and flowers before the bedding plants arrive.
Hebe - flowers and occasional leaves
Good for planting in outside enclosures for shade.
Hibiscus - flowers and occasional leaves
Tortoises love the flowers! As the start to go over, pull them off and feed them.
Honeysuckle - flowers
Plenty of flowers available throughout the early summer.
Hosta - leaves
Not always a favourite, but a nice big leaf which can be fed on its own as a change.
Mallow - flowers & leaves
An attractive bushy plant. Another good one for the enclosure.
Forget-me-nots - flowers & leaves
An early spring classic.
Mulberry - leaves
Nasturtium - flowers & leaves
These grow very well if allowed to get established. Keeping the catarpillars off it is tricky though!
Osteospermum - flowers and occasional leaves
Pansies - flowers & leaves
Fantastic for autumn. If established in summer, they'll give plenty of leaves and flowers right up to hibernation.
Pelargonium - flowers & leaves
Petunia - flowers & leaves
Very vigorous. Plant as a bedding plant and it will provide leaves and flowers all through the summer and early autumn. Take the flowers just as they start to droop, and you'll get more!
Plantain
Another staple. Loved by tortoises and with lots of fibre. These will keep in the fridge for a week if stored dry in a plastic bag.
Rose - petals only
Sow thistle - flowers & leaves
A favourite with the tortoises. Can be slightly prickly depending on species, but the torts don't mind!
Strawberry (wild and cultivated) - leaves & flowers
Vetch
Viola/Violet - flowers & leaves
Another which will grow in Autumn/Winter.
All of the plants below are suitable for consumption by tortoises:
These are great for early spring, as they start growing before the weed season gets into full swing. Once more succulent plants are available, the seem to go out of favour.
I always make sure that any thorns on the underside of the leaves are removed.
It is important to use the spineless varieties, or to despine them before feeding.
An excellent addition to the diet. Quite high in protein, so not to be fed exclusively to babies.
The staple for many. Big leaves, easily recognisable, and abundant.
Found growing wild as well as in gardens.
Well liked by tortoises and very attractive in the garden. Let them get well established and then pull a leaf or two off each plant every few days for a constant supply.
A vigourous species which provides foliage and flowers before the bedding plants arrive.
Good for planting in outside enclosures for shade.
Tortoises love the flowers! As the start to go over, pull them off and feed them.
Plenty of flowers available throughout the early summer.
Not always a favourite, but a nice big leaf which can be fed on its own as a change.
An attractive bushy plant. Another good one for the enclosure.
An early spring classic.
These grow very well if allowed to get established. Keeping the catarpillars off it is tricky though!
Fantastic for autumn. If established in summer, they'll give plenty of leaves and flowers right up to hibernation.
Very vigorous. Plant as a bedding plant and it will provide leaves and flowers all through the summer and early autumn. Take the flowers just as they start to droop, and you'll get more!
Another staple. Loved by tortoises and with lots of fibre. These will keep in the fridge for a week if stored dry in a plastic bag.
A favourite with the tortoises. Can be slightly prickly depending on species, but the torts don't mind!
Another which will grow in Autumn/Winter.
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