Growing the Main Diet

[corvasaurus]

Hi everyone,

I'm very interested in keeping a tortoise (exact breed tbd; something smaller), and I want to set myself up for success early on. I'm curious what plants I should grow myself for a tortoise's main diet, with some treat variety. I assume generic, dark leafy greens (like kale, spinach, etc.) are probably some good options, but I'd really like to focus on offering differing/unique plants. I have heard of "The Tortoise Table" but I'd love some expert advice on what main plants to give.

I live in USDA Zone 6-7 (Kentucky); we plan to add a greenhouse eventually, but we don't have one yet.

Thanks!

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Hi everyone,

I'm very interested in keeping a tortoise (exact breed tbd; something smaller), and I want to set myself up for success early on. I'm curious what plants I should grow myself for a tortoise's main diet, with some treat variety. I assume generic, dark leafy greens (like kale, spinach, etc.) are probably some good options, but I'd really like to focus on offering differing/unique plants. I have heard of "The Tortoise Table" but I'd love some expert advice on what main plants to give.

I live in USDA Zone 6-7 (Kentucky); we plan to add a greenhouse eventually, but we don't have one yet.

Thanks!

For most species you want a low oxalate, high fiber, low protein, low goitrogen, low sugar diet. Variety is key. I've grown endive, escarole, summer squash, pumpkin, dandelion, wheat grass, clover, hibiscus, corn plants (leaves only), red/green lettuce, romaine, arugula, and chicory (just to name a few).

 

[Tom]

Hi everyone,

I'm very interested in keeping a tortoise (exact breed tbd; something smaller), and I want to set myself up for success early on. I'm curious what plants I should grow myself for a tortoise's main diet, with some treat variety. I assume generic, dark leafy greens (like kale, spinach, etc.) are probably some good options, but I'd really like to focus on offering differing/unique plants. I have heard of "The Tortoise Table" but I'd love some expert advice on what main plants to give.

I live in USDA Zone 6-7 (Kentucky); we plan to add a greenhouse eventually, but we don't have one yet.

Thanks!

Weeds, leaves and flowers of the right types. And grasses for some species. Not grocery store greens. The best foods for your tortoise grow naturally and cost nothing.

 

[COmtnLady]

It matters what species you decide to keep. The kind of tortoise defines its diet. Grassland tortoises, cleverly enough, eat grasses and other plants from the areas where their species evolved, while tropical types can't/don't eat grasses, but can eat fruit which most tortoises can not digest.

You will have a lot that grows "wild" near you once the weather breaks. But if you do decide to grow a tortoise garden, this company is my favorite source of seeds. They are Organic and Non-GMO, and have really good germination rastes.

True Leaf Market | True Leaf Market Seed Company

Over half a million customers have chosen True Leaf Market seed company for non-GMO, heirloom & organic garden seeds since 1974. Vegetable Gardening, Sp...

trueleafmarket.com

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Great responses above

If wanting a smaller species I’m guessing you’re thinking maybe Russian or Herman?
Or the more tropical route like Burmese star or a pancake tortoise?

I’ll leave these links in case for the temperate species

For the indoor side of things, this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc) correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a handy diet link

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add.

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Now that housing thread discusses an open top set up, which is fine for adult tortoises, but I will say, if your house is particularly cold in winter, for those who don’t brumate their temperate species, they can really struggle keeping their temperates where needed, a cover can come in really handy for maintaining your heat, the most efficient closed set ups are melamine/pvc vivs(they would be very expensive for an adult scale though and I don’t think necessary in your location).

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

All that covers for adults of course, but if you did go for a baby, follow this thread instead, it’s virtually the same but it covers a closed chamber set up, which is crucial for the first few years, babies need a much higher humidity, which can only be maintained properly with a closed chamber(the visual thread covers them too)

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they can come in useful for you

 

[corvasaurus]

Thank you for your responses everyone!

Once the weather warms up and plant life starts to return, I'll take a survey of the yard to see what's already naturally growing. I do have massive black walnut and mulberry trees if these leaves/fruit are possibilities.

As for species, I'm still undecided. It gets rather humid where I live, and the summers can be pretty brutal (in my opinion anyway; we've been in the 90s (F) the past couple of years (with 70%+ humidity on a daily basis). However, my house is the opposite...we use dehumidifiers to keep the indoor humidity below 50% (usually around 20-30%). The tortoise is most likely going to live outside during the warmer parts of the year, then be brought inside for the colder months. I don't want anything that gets bigger than a foot, and I personally don't want to deal with brumation if I can avoid it. Just using that criteria alone I'm unsure if tropical or temperate is better. Is it harmful for a temperate species to live in a humid environment?
Suggestions are encouraged when it comes to picking the right species for me!

 

[Tom]

Thank you for your responses everyone!

Once the weather warms up and plant life starts to return, I'll take a survey of the yard to see what's already naturally growing. I do have massive black walnut and mulberry trees if these leaves/fruit are possibilities.

As for species, I'm still undecided. It gets rather humid where I live, and the summers can be pretty brutal (in my opinion anyway; we've been in the 90s (F) the past couple of years (with 70%+ humidity on a daily basis). However, my house is the opposite...we use dehumidifiers to keep the indoor humidity below 50% (usually around 20-30%). The tortoise is most likely going to live outside during the warmer parts of the year, then be brought inside for the colder months. I don't want anything that gets bigger than a foot, and I personally don't want to deal with brumation if I can avoid it. Just using that criteria alone I'm unsure if tropical or temperate is better. Is it harmful for a temperate species to live in a humid environment?
Suggestions are encouraged when it comes to picking the right species for me!

Babies of all species need a more humid environment. This helps them to stay hydrated and grow smoothly. As adults, some species tolerate dryness better than others, but all species, assuming they are small enough to fit in one, will do better and be easier to maintain in a large closed chamber. It contains that warm humid air where you want it instead of trying to fight the conditions in the room with an open topped enclosure.

Given your criteria of under a foot, outside in the warmer months, inside in the winter, and not wanting to deal with brumation, I have the perfect species for you. To your criteria, I will add that they are very hardy, personably, easy to feed, easy to keep and highly adaptable to conditions from the hot dry southwest desert, to the humid south east, and everywhere in between. When researching the species, don't get confused with Indian or Sri Lankan stars which are both a different species and also very different as far as the criteria listed above. Without further adieu:

Introduction To The Burmese Star Tortoise

I've been wanting to do this thread for a long time... This species has become one of my all time favorites, and for good reasons! The purpose of all of my ramblings that follow are primarily intended to showcase how great this species is and why its a better species for most people than most...

tortoiseforum.org

Again, questions are welcome!