List of Vegetables My Tortoises Can Eat

The term tortoise refers to shelled animals that live entirely on land, as opposed to turtles that spend a majority of their time in water. A pet tortoise's diet should contain around 95 percent vegetables. These vegetables should be varied, so the tortoise is guaranteed a range of vitamins and nutrients; and the best choice is whatever is in season.

  1. Leafy Greens

    • Far and away the best vegetables to feed tortoises are leafy green vegetables. Cabbage, kale, spinach, bok choi, alfalfa, cauliflower leaves and the plant tops of beetroot and potatoes.

    Salads

    • Salad vegetables are also a great source of food for tortoises. Lettuces, such as romaine, Swiss chard, cress and iceberg are ideal. Stronger salad leaves, like lambs lettuce and rocket are also suitable.

    Other Vegetable

    • Radish, mustard, turnip, broccoli, clover, peas, cauliflower, green beans, squash and peppers should also be included in a tortoise's diet. Defrosted bags of frozen vegetables are ideal as they contain a high level of nutrition and are in comfortable bite size pieces. In fact there are very few vegetables a tortoise will not eat. Soft-skinned and non-prickly vegetables are the best.

    Plants

    • In the wild, tortoises graze over several plant and vegetable species. Flowers and plant leaves are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Dandelions, hibiscus, nasturtiums, weeds and cut grass are all preferred foods. Roses and carnations will also be eaten.

    Fruits

    • The remaining 5 percent of the tortoise's diet should contain fruit. Melons, grapes, oranges, apples, berries, mango and tomatoes can all be eaten. Prickly pears, pineapples and other hard or sharp-skinned fruit should have the skins removed, before they are given to the tortoise.