How to Feed a Baby Desert Turtle

Desert turtles are actually called desert tortoises because they live on land. The desert tortoise species is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The desert tortoise is an herbivore, eating only hays, grasses, weeds, flowers and the occasional fruit or vegetable.

Things You'll Need

  • Small shallow dish
  • Sharp knife
  • Leafy greens
  • Grasses
  • Vegetables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather the appropriate food items for the baby desert tortoise. The baby desert tortoise's diet should consist of 90 percent leafy greens and hay and 10 percent vegetables. The greenery can include native desert grasses and hays, cactus pads, alfalfa hay, hibiscus flowers, dandelion greens, clover, carrot greens and mustard greens. Acceptable vegetables can include spinach, kale, snow peas, prickly pear and string beans.

    • 2

      Chop up all of the food, including any leafy greens and grasses, into small pieces with a sharp knife. Because the tortoise is still very small, all of the food offered should be cut into easy-to-manage, bite-sized pieces. For baby desert tortoises this means pieces that are easily consumed and chewed in one tiny bite.

    • 3

      Sprinkle the food with a vitamin and calcium supplement, preferably one that is designed for turtles and tortoises. This should be done every few feedings and is extremely important for the baby desert tortoise's growth and development.

    • 4

      Add the chopped food to the shallow dish and place the dish in the tortoise's enclosure in a place where the tortoise can easily find and reach the food, preferably on the ground or floor of the enclosure.