Variety

[AnthonyC]

I love the idea of just going out in the yard and picking local flora for my torts to eat, but I want to give them more variety. So far the only things that I've been feeding them that are growing in my yard/garden are: yellow squash flowers, broadleaf plantains, dandelion, rose of sharon, purslane, and some yellow clover. I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me what these are and if they are SAFE to feed my baby Sulcatas. Thank you!

PIC #1 BROADLEAF PLANTAIN SEEDS/STALKS:

PIC #2 NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS BUT IT'S NOT PURSLANE:

PIC #3

PIC #4

Thank you!!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Pix # 2 looks like those round stickers I forget what they are called...The yellow flowers are Zinnias I think, but I am actually no help because i offer everything to my tortoises and they either eat it or they don't...

 

[Jacqui]

The last two are inpatients and marigold. Inpatients are one of those questionable ones, so if you feed it, just a little bit. I love those plants, but I don't feed them.

The last are the marigold, but not the "good" kind. Not sure if your tortoises would even eat these as they have a strong smell. They are in fact used as a repellant for bugs and such.

 

[AnthonyC]

Okay thanks Jacqui... I'll go w/nay on both. Why take chances??

The last two are inpatients and marigold. Inpatients are one of those questionable ones, so if you feed it, just a little bit. I love those plants, but I don't feed them.

The last are the marigold, but not the "good" kind. Not sure if your tortoises would even eat these as they have a strong smell. They are in fact used as a repellant for bugs and such.

 

[dmmj]

the plant in the second picture, does it have a milky substance inside?

 

[Yvonne G]

The weed in the second picture is spotted spurge. Its on the toxic lists, however my desert tortoises really love it.

 

[AnthonyC]

Yes indeedy it does have a milky substance when you pick it. I failed to mention that...!

the plant in the second picture, does it have a milky substance inside?

---

Once again I'll choose to err on the safe side... NO spotted spurge for these little guys! Thanks!!!

The weed in the second picture is spotted spurge. Its on the toxic lists, however my desert tortoises really love it.

 

[dmmj]

My CDT loves that stuff

 

[Jacqui]

You need to also keep in mind these lists are geared more towards if a person, dog, cat, or even a horse or cow ate them, not a tortoise. Like I use pothos with my redfoots because from other RF folks I have learned their animals have not problems with them. Also like with the impatient, the plant isn't poisonous, but rather high in oxalate. So they would be safe if paired with something not causing oxalate problems. Another problem with them, is most tortoises seem to really enjoy eating them.

 

[ascott]

1. Plantain, entire plant is 100% edible (and very beneficial to young torts.)
2. Euphorbia maculata aka prostrate spurge is 100% edible
3. Impatient, while some unintentional consumption will not kill, not good
4. Got nothing....I am pretty confident this is Marigold...but would not offer

 

[AnthonyC]

Eww Ang... I don't even like the sound of #2!! Thank you for your help!!!

1. Plantain, entire plant is 100% edible (and very beneficial to young torts.)
2. Euphorbia maculata aka prostrate spurge is 100% edible
3. Impatient, while some unintentional consumption will not kill, not good
4. Got nothing....I am pretty confident this is Marigold...but would not offer

 

[Torty Mom]

Lou also likes #2, it's growing in my yard. He usually takes a bite or 2 everyday.

#4 is marigold, good for under tomato plants, I do not use it for tortie food.