Instructions
Specify the type of tortoise you are feeding. Different tortoises require distinct feeding needs. African hingeback tortoises, for example, need low-fat animal protein in order to fulfill nutritional demands. Avoid feeding fruit to Indian Star tortoises; it can incite digestive disorders in them.
Examine tortoise diet products found in pet stores before feeding them to your pet. Experts understand there to be no way to approximate a tortoise's natural diet. Some even advise against using ready-made tortoise food; preferring to tailor a nutritional routine designed for each specific species of tortoise.
To determine how often to feed your tortoise, pay attention to its activity level and monitor its weight. Consult experts in your particular tortoise's variety about their feeding habits. Tortoises rarely eat daily in the wild, and feeding them too often can prompt severe health problems. Expert recommendations on feeding intervals can vary from once daily to once every few days depending on the species.
Soak the tortoise in clean and shallow water for 10 minutes, twice every week. This will help to guarantee that your reptile is adequately hydrated.
Supplement the tortoise's diet with a dusting of calcium powder on their food once a week.
How to Feed Tortoises
Tortoise nutrition is far more complex than many people imagine. Amateur caretakers frequently forget to consider such factors as species, feeding and drinking style, and natural behaviors when feeding these dome-backed reptiles. Tortoises are generally herbivores; feeding them meat can cause serious problems to their well being. Over-supplementation is another easy pitfall for beginning tortoise owners. Before purchasing one of these long-lived creatures, conduct thorough research into the particular nutritive demands for your exact animal.