Mint

[ACitro]

Hi, I'm getting a Russian tortoise and I'm also not really sure how this works, so I made a thread... is that okay?

I was curious what types of mint are ok for Russian tortoises. Thank you!

 

[ZenHerper]

Welcome!

Most varieties of mint and bee balm are fine, but keepers generally avoid catnip since it does contain some compounds that can have unpredictable effects (cats, forex, can become happy or aggressive).

I wouldn't make a whole meal of something so strongly flavored, but it makes a fun and interesting part of a varied and balanced diet.

You will find a lot of information about Russians here:

Russian tortoises

www.tortoiseforum.org

This is another website's database where you can look up a very wide range of plants:

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

 

[Maro2Bear]

From TheTortoiseTable....

• Common Name: Mint (Garden Mint, Spearmint, Apple Mint)
• Latin Name: Mentha sachalinensis; M. spicata, M. sauveolens
• Family Name: Lamiaceae/Labiatae

These are fine to plant in the tortoise enclosure and will do no harm if nibbled, although some tortoises will be put off by the strong aroma.

Do not confuse these mints with Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) or Purple Mint(Perilla), which also belong to the Lamiaceae family but are not safe to feed.
Garden Mint (Mentha sachalinensis)
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Applemint (Mentha suaveolens)

 

[Tom]

Mine won't touch it.

 

[ZenHerper]

Mine won't touch it.

Lots don't. Which is too bad since the calcium-phosphorous ratio is lovely.

Spearmint, fresh [mint] Nutrition Facts & Calories

nutritiondata.self.com

Though, without teeth and gums they really don't need a breath freshener...