Approved Foods for Sulcata Tortoises

Having a sulcata tortoise at home requires commitment. Proper care of the animal involves proper nutrition as feeding the animal the right foods keeps it content and helps ensure a healthy and long life. Don't guess about the proper foods to feed the animal; taking time to learn about the sulcata tortoise's appropriate diet is an investment that is well-worth the effort.

  1. Sulcata Tortoises

    • The sulcata tortoise, or Geochelone sulcata, is, according to the Reptiles Web website, the third largest tortoise. It can reach 36 inches long and can weigh almost 150 pounds, which means it requires a diet adequate in nutrients to sustain its size.

    Greens

    • The sulcata tortoise needs lots of green leafy vegetables, such as mustard greens, kale, dandelion greens, turnips or hibiscus. Other appropriate greens include mallow, clover and plaintain. Grass hay, not alfalfa hay, is a good food to keep on hand for your sulcata tortoise.

    Fruits

    • Feed fruit to the sulcata tortoise on occasion. Select fruit such as pears, peaches and apples with the skin intact.

    Water and Vitamins

    • Water is an essential part of the tortoise diet. Maintain a water bowl at all times to keep the animal hydrated, and select a water bowl large enough for the tortoise to climb into. Make sure the walls are low enough to allow the animal to climb into and out of the bowl freely. Keep the water level low enough to avoid drowning the tortoise. Your sulcata tortoise needs calcium, so keep a cuttlebone in his enclosure or feed him a calcium supplement or even a human vitamin, according to Sulcata-Station.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Food to avoid feeding sulcata tortoises includes cabbage, cucumbers, bok choy, tomatoes and bananas, according to the Reptile Web website. The Sulcata-Station website cautions against feeding prepackaged tortoise food or cat or dog food. Lastly, avoid feeding sulcata tortoises any grasses coated with chemical pesticides.