Food: Where to Buy/Find

Hey guys so as I grow ever closer to getting another leopard tortoise with the help of several of you on here (you know who you are). I am expanding on what I knew and had from before, and trying to take it to the next level.

As far as food, flowers, weeds, grasses, clovers, cactus pads are concened my MAIN question is where do you guys buy this if they arent local, and where do you find them if they are. (I live in Maryland as a point of reference.)

My second question is: what do you guys find your leopards eating the most of? My last one for example never touched cactus pads the one time that I bought them for him.

Thanks in advance!

I’m from Maryland and right now we have lots of edible weeds growing. The downside is there’s a learning curve figuring out what’s safe and what’s not. I find my stranger greens at an Asian or Hispanic market and use my grocery store to fill in gaps. Search the tortoise chef thread and you’ll find tons of ideas.

daniellenc said:

I’m from Maryland and right now we have lots of edible weeds growing. The downside is there’s a learning curve figuring out what’s safe and what’s not. I find my stranger greens at an Asian or Hispanic market and use my grocery store to fill in gaps. Search the tortoise chef thread and you’ll find tons of ideas.

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Okay great thanks. Only thing that sucks is my neighbors treat their lawns so i am hesitant to pick anythinrg from my own backyard. I guess I will have to venture a bit!

I have used all of these to augment when low on weeds:




Added to spring mix, radicchio, collards,etc.

SteveW said:

I have used all of these to augment when low on weeds:

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Added to spring mix, radicchio, collards,etc.

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Wow that is great thanks! Do you just buy a head of radicchio? Is it okay for them to eat a lot of it because I know it isnt technicaly a “green”

mikeylazer said:

Wow that is great thanks! Do you just buy a head of radicchio? Is it okay for them to eat a lot of it because I know it isnt technicaly a “green”

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It is a very good food and a favorite of nearly all of my torts but it is also very pricey and they may get spoiled on it if so I always mix it thoroughly with other things.

It is unusual that yours wouldn't eat cactus. That is another favorite of most. I would say radichio, cactus, pads, clover, and endive are the overall favorites of mine. I also use the timothy pellets to supplement almost everything throughout the winter season - I grind it to a powder and sprinkle it over almost everything.

Robber said:

It is a very good food and a favorite of nearly all of my torts but it is also very pricey and they may get spoiled on it if so I always mix it thoroughly with other things.

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The only reason I dont buy it for my redfoot is the price [emoji23] I think my main concerns right now are just making sure I can forage for weeds somewhere.

Cactus is usually excepted if you chop it up small or use a processor to really mush it up.
If your neighbor doesn't spray, where it could spray over to your side or rain run off doesn't drain your way your yard is probably good.
Grocery greens to use, and use as big a variety as possible, mustard and collard greens, endive, kale, radicchio, dandelion, spring mix (remove most of the spinach) romaine, just for a few. Add to the variety, mazuri tortoise food, the items others listed above, clover, try grass. Then check out the this site for more weed and flower ideas. https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/
Feed as big a variety as possible.