what else should i feed my russian tortoise?

[nicole r]

i feed him tortoise pellets,spring mix (i have stopped though as he doesnt like it much) and i feed him cucumber a bit more often now could that be bad for him? i want to buy something for him so that he doesnt have to eat the same thing so often if anyone has any russian tortoises what do they enjoy eating?

 

[JoesMum]

Russians should be eating a variety of greens. They may like pellets, but they don't need them to be healthy. As you have experienced, torts have favourite foods and will hold out for what they like best. You have to be a tough parents and point out that their diet cannot only consist of candy ... Or pellets!

Weeds like dandelion, clover, plantain and sow thistle are great food for your Russian. And being weeds, they're free to find outdoors.

I suggest that you use the Tortoise Table Plant Database to look up plants growing around you to find new foods to expand your tort's diet. You can also look up the greens available for purchase here. http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plant_database_14.asp?v=desktop

 

[Tom]

Some suggestions:
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

 

[nicole r]

Some suggestions:
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

alright!! thank you so much!

 

[CharlesDarwin2.0]

Some suggestions:
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

Are you sure about the wild garlic Tom? I'm just curios because I've heard mixed statements about it.

 

[Tom]

Are you sure about the wild garlic Tom? I'm just curios because I've heard mixed statements about it.

I feed it to mine, and they eat it on there own where it grows in their pens. If you have any concern at all, just skip it. There are lots and lots of other things to feed.

 

[CharlesDarwin2.0]

I feed it to mine, and they eat it on there own where it grows in their pens. If you have any concern at all, just skip it. There are lots and lots of other things to feed.

got it, thanks