Darn weeds.

[Renee_H]

Idk what the heck you guys. Leonora has a large grassy area within her enclosure. A few months ago I had a few packets of tortoise seeds and decided to throw them around in the grass and see what happens. She loves to munch on our Saint Augustine a good part of her day so I figured this would be a good option. Today I spent some time outside with her and noticed so much new growth of something in her grass. I was so excited and convinced it was the seed mix. I’m sure it couldn’t have been in the seed mix but what the heck. Fwiw none of this is growing in the yard beyond her enclosure. Now I’m anxious because like I said she grazes for hours per day when the weather is good. Now all her grass is “toxic”

iPhone tells me it’s
Bermuda buttercups

 

[COmtnLady]

That's a sorrel. They not only are safe, I have been known to have them on my own salads.

You have a very smart tortoise!

 

[Markw84]

Most refer to that as oxalis. It is known as wood sorrel, but should not be confused with sorrel, which is a totally different plant and family.

Oxalis can be eaten, but be sure there is also good calcium foods available too as by itself, it will bind with calcium and keep the tortoise from getting enough free calcium. So just be sure there is a good balance to overcome this.

 

[Renee_H]

Most refer to that as oxalis. It is known as wood sorrel, but should not be confused with sorrel, which is a totally different plant and family.

Oxalis can be eaten, but be sure there is also good calcium foods available too as by itself, it will bind with calcium and keep the tortoise from getting enough free calcium. So just be sure there is a good balance to overcome this.

Since I do feed her daily good foods can I not worry about removing this then and still let her graze? I think that is what you meant. That would be a huge relief. As it is I am constantly outside removing nightshade which before I got her I never saw and now it’s decided to multiply like crazy. Thankfully I’ve never seen her as much as smell it!

 

[Tom]

Since I do feed her daily good foods can I not worry about removing this then and still let her graze? I think that is what you meant. That would be a huge relief. As it is I am constantly outside removing nightshade which before I got her I never saw and now it’s decided to multiply like crazy. Thankfully I’ve never seen her as much as smell it!

Oxalis is not toxic or terribly bad for them. I used to mistakenly think it was a type of clover and I would occasionally feed them all handfuls of it. It ever did any harm.

I have never been able to get a definitive answer on this plant. I don't currently intentionally feed it to them, but I also don't freak out if they find and eat a little of it now and then. I wouldn't want a tortoise to eat whole meals of it every day though.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe @RosemaryDW can weigh on this?

 

[RosemaryDW]

That's interesting it is sometimes named as a buttercup, it's wood sorrel. It should be fine in a varied diet. Take a nibble, it's sour so who knows if your tortoise will eat it. My tortoise took a bite of it last year, first time.

So long as she's eating plenty of other things she'll be fine. I'd focus on the nightshades. Even those I'm not sure cause actual harm, but it's not one I'll chance. You might thin the sorrel a bit if it's interfering with growth from your seed mix.

 

[Renee_H]

Aww now I see why iPhone is IDing as buttercup lol