Edible Tortoise Yard Landscaping

[lanalover15]

I am wanting to make my tortoise yard as a desert biotope for my baby sulcatas and leopards. I want to add a few aloes, agaves, succulents, and cactus to the yard just as decoration. Are their any species to definetly avoid? Any that are poisonous? I don't plan on feeding them to the tortoises but they will be in the enclosure so they could get nibbled.

 

[Jodie]

Here are a couple of sites I have found useful.
http://africantortoise.com/edible_plants.htm
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp

 

[lanalover15]

Yes i have studied that site for a while and noticed on some plants it says Aloe verra spp. Or agave spp. In that instance does it mean all Aloe and lore safe all agavas are safe

 

[Prairie Mom]

Sounds like a great project. I'm just curious why you are choosing a desert-scape when they are grassland species?

 

[lanalover15]

Sounds like a great project. I'm just curious why you are choosing a desert-scape when they are grassland species?

Yes I know but I love cactus and think a desert scape is much prettier. lol I want it to be both safe for the torts and pleasing to me. I have seed mixes from my grandma with marigolds,zinnieas,and other garden annual flowers. I don't know every species in the mix but was wondering if there are any flowers that are deadly to tortoises.

 

[Prairie Mom]

Yes I know but I love cactus and think a desert scape is much prettier. lol I want it to be both safe for the torts and pleasing to me. I have seed mixes from my grandma with marigolds,zinnieas,and other garden annual flowers. I don't know every species in the mix but was wondering if there are any flowers that are deadly to tortoises.

I hear you. Your land will be your art That's great. My only concern would be making sure your tortoise has some good grazing land, but it sounds like you will put some thought into that too.

Yes, there are some flowers that are deadly. There are also quite a few that if eaten in large numbers can make your tortoise a bit sick or uncomfortable. Here are a few good lists published by the University of California that I think you will find helpful...

A list of SAFE plants by common name:
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Safe_Plants_by_Common_Name/

A list of TOXIC plants by common name - this is a good list that explains how the plant is toxic (mild skin allergy to deadly):
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_common_Name_659/

 

[Tom]

Here is a feeding sheet that has all sorts of plants listed on it that are both edible and sometimes attractive.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
Scroll down a little bit for the list.

Where are you?

 

[lanalover15]

I hear you. Your land will be your art That's great. My only concern would be making sure your tortoise has some good grazing land, but it sounds like you will put some thought into that too.

Yes, there are some flowers that are deadly. There are also quite a few that if eaten in large numbers can make your tortoise a bit sick or uncomfortable. Here are a few good lists published by the University of California that I think you will find helpful...

A list of SAFE plants by common name:
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Safe_Plants_by_Common_Name/

A list of TOXIC plants by common name - this is a good list that explains how the plant is toxic (mild skin allergy to deadly):
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poisonous_safe_plants/Toxic_Plants_by_common_Name_659/

Thanks so much! and yes I plan on adding plenty of grazing area and plenty of edible plants.