Picky Eater

Abby and squirt

New Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2025
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Vermont
I've had my Russian Tortoise for about 3 years now and I've been feeding him mainly lettuce, zucchini and carrots. When I learned his diet should be more collard greens I tried to switch him to those foods but he wont eat anything else. I want him to be eating healthy but I also don't want him to starve.. I've tried pellets and dried flowers but he wont eat those either. What should I do?
Ps those are some pictures of him
 

Attachments

  • squirt.jpg
    squirt.jpg
    32.8 KB · Views: 1
  • squirt 3.jpg
    squirt 3.jpg
    39.4 KB · Views: 1
  • squirt 2.jpg
    squirt 2.jpg
    49.5 KB · Views: 1

amaya117

New Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2025
Messages
7
Location (City and/or State)
NorCal
I've had my Russian Tortoise for about 3 years now and I've been feeding him mainly lettuce, zucchini and carrots. When I learned his diet should be more collard greens I tried to switch him to those foods but he wont eat anything else. I want him to be eating healthy but I also don't want him to starve.. I've tried pellets and dried flowers but he wont eat those either. What should I do?
Ps those are some pictures of him
Slowly start putting the new food in little by little, I found that to work with mine! Also if you have them around, I like to pick dandelions and their leaves from outside, clean them good and they enjoy those as little snacks/treats! The leaves are great for them
 

Littleredfootbigredheart

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2023
Messages
7,679
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I've had my Russian Tortoise for about 3 years now and I've been feeding him mainly lettuce, zucchini and carrots. When I learned his diet should be more collard greens I tried to switch him to those foods but he wont eat anything else. I want him to be eating healthy but I also don't want him to starve.. I've tried pellets and dried flowers but he wont eat those either. What should I do?
Ps those are some pictures of him
Hello! The link above is a good read, ultimately you do have to take it little by little, I’d draw back on the carrots over time.

In terms of diet, variety is key, if heavily relying on store bought foods, amendments need to be made, A product we personally really like is the Arcadia optimized, it’s such a great way for getting more variety in, especially during the winter months when things are harder to grow, you soak each cube in water(quantities on packet) until it’s a mushy grassy texture, and add it on top of the fresh stuff, any left over can be stored in the fridge. Most tortoises love it, but it could take a while for him to get used to, they’re very stubborn by nature, so don’t worry if it takes weeks/months of attempts for him to eat it.

IMG_3049.jpeg
You can look to websites like this for seed mixes and such

I will warn your set up is much too small for an adult Russian, I’m going include some links below I think you’ll hopefully find useful

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

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

Lastly, this one here is probably most important 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😊

Hope they help! Never hesitate to ask any further questions! Welcome to the forum🐢💚
 

Abby and squirt

New Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2025
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Vermont
Hello! The link above is a good read, ultimately you do have to take it little by little, I’d draw back on the carrots over time.

In terms of diet, variety is key, if heavily relying on store bought foods, amendments need to be made, A product we personally really like is the Arcadia optimized, it’s such a great way for getting more variety in, especially during the winter months when things are harder to grow, you soak each cube in water(quantities on packet) until it’s a mushy grassy texture, and add it on top of the fresh stuff, any left over can be stored in the fridge. Most tortoises love it, but it could take a while for him to get used to, they’re very stubborn by nature, so don’t worry if it takes weeks/months of attempts for him to eat it.

View attachment 397222
You can look to websites like this for seed mixes and such

I will warn your set up is much too small for an adult Russian, I’m going include some links below I think you’ll hopefully find useful

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

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

Lastly, this one here is probably most important 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😊

Hope they help! Never hesitate to ask any further questions! Welcome to the forum🐢💚
Thank you so much!! we are moving in a week or so and he will be in a bigger enclosure but in the summer he's mainly outside and has much more space. I will also look into that product and those links!!
 
Last edited:

Abby and squirt

New Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2025
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Vermont
Slowly start putting the new food in little by little, I found that to work with mine! Also if you have them around, I like to pick dandelions and their leaves from outside, clean them good and they enjoy those as little snacks/treats! The leaves are great for them
Perfect! I look foreword to finding food outside for him when its not freezing lol
 

New Posts

Top