don't know what to feed my tort

[Maisy]

hello I am trying to find things in my garden to feed my 5 year old horsefield tortoise. I am really bad at identifying plants the only plant I really feed him from the garden is dandelions i don't really know what else he can eat, i found some doc leaves and nettles they deem to be sprouting up everywhere in my garden can he eat them and what about mint ( those are abut the only plants I can identify).Any suggestions would help greatly

 

[Lyn W]

Have you seen www.thetortoisetable.org.uk ? It tells you what's safe or not with pics to ID plants. Leigti also told me about the garden compass app/website which will ID plants from photos you send them. They won't say if plants are safe for torts or not but once you know what they are you can check them here or on the TT. Use both with the care sheet for your tort to find out what your species and tort your age can eat.

 

[Maisy]

ok thanks i will give that a try

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Or you can post pictures under the 'Plant Identification' Threads at the top of this 'Food and Diet' section.

 

[Tom]

I use the garden compass app too.

If that doesn't work you can take samples of your weeds to a local garden center and ask for help. There is usually a resident plant expert that knows what everything is. Once you get a positive ID, you can then come back and check to see if its edible or toxic.

Here are some other suggestions that you can find or grow:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food