What to feed my Greek

[that-smellen]

Hi everyone,
After hours or researching online and basically no information from the petshop I purchased Humphrey from*, I've been finding it difficult what to actually feed him as many places seem to contradict the other. I know leafy greens and weeds, but what ones are debatable (I.e cauliflower leafs).

From your experience and knowledge, can people please suggest what would be good from him to eat please?

Also, I download the Tortoise table, does anyone know how accurate that is on the advice on what can/can't be eaten?


*they didn't give me a care sheet because they didn't have time to print one - don't worry, I've learnt not to buy a tortoise from there now

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome! You are in a good place to learn.

Since you are new, please be sure to read the beginner’s mistakes thread: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/.

If you haven't already read it, check the Greek care sheet written by our long-term expert: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/. It includes food along with everything else you need to know.

Here is a looong list of information on foods, most of it put together by very experienced members of this forum. It's a ton of reading, for now you will probably want to focus on the section about grocery store foods that is under the first two links; I bolded the part that mentions spring mix, and the greens that go into it.

I would also check Shelled Warriors website. It’s UK specific and the owner has a long list of foods she considers safe; those are foods likely to be more suited to your own continent. There are quite a few additional weeds over there!

You may need to rely on grocery store foods for now. Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory"is good, as are radicchio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned.

The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales." (I do not think you will have one in the UK but just in case!)

You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets.

Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions.

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Nasturtium
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
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

 

[RosemaryDW]

The Tortoise Table errs on the side of caution; if they say it’s safe, it’s safe.

As you grow more experienced you can decide when and if you want to feed one of the foods they don’t recommend (they are REALLY cautious!); for now stick to safe foods only.