How to Feed Desert Tortoises Grass

The term desert tortoise describes both a specific breed of tortoise and a broad classification of tortoises that include sulcatas, Egyptian tortoises and several other species that thrive in a hot, arid climate. All of these tortoises eat a similar diet. Desert tortoises prefer high-fiber, low-moisture diets and subsist primarily on grasses and weeds. Without an appropriate diet, tortoises may grow too quickly, resulting in a pyramided shell, poor organ function, metabolic bone disease and a host of other illnesses.

Things You'll Need

  • Weeds
  • Grass
  • Calcium dust
  • Food bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select appropriate grasses for your tortoise. Tortoises accustomed to a desert climate enjoy fescue, buffalo grass, orchard grass, Bermuda grass, western wheat grass and blue grama. You can also feed your tortoise grass hay, which is frequently fed to horses and sold at equestrian stores.

    • 2

      Feed your tortoise a diet that is approximately 75 percent grass. The rest of your tortoise's diet should be comprised of weeds and plants such as dandelions, chickweed, mulberry, hibiscus and rose petals. You can also give your tortoise a very small quantity of fruits and vegetables as treats a few times a week. These should not make up a significant portion of your tortoise's diet.

    • 3

      Dust your tortoise's food with calcium dust. You can purchase this at most pet-supply stores. The simplest way to put the appropriate amount of calcium on the grass is to put the grass in a zip-sealed plastic bag. Then, put approximately 1 tsp. of calcium dust in the bag and shake it until the food is evenly coated.

    • 4

      Place your tortoise's food in a bowl that is large enough for your tortoise to get into. Feed your tortoise as much food as it will eat in 30 minutes every day.