Russian Tortoise diet

kayem

New Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2014
Messages
6
Hi! So I'm sort of a new tortoise owner, I got Oscar in December. I just wanted to make sure what I was feeding him was okay, and if anyone knows of some other good foods to give him, that would be great! The foods I usually feed him are: spring mix of greens, sometimes lettuce (rarely), fruits such as bananas (his favorite!), grapes, plums, apples, etc, veggies like carrots, green beans, mushrooms, etc, and sometimes I mix in some Tortoise pellets! :) Thanks! ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1407290204.853376.jpg
 

johnsonnboswell

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2012
Messages
2,238
Glad you asked. The short answer is no, that's not a good diet. No fruits. Carrot once a month. No beans. Broad leafy greens & flowers. Dandelion, plantain, grape leaves, rise of Sharon, mallow, kale, endive, so much more. Isn't there a care sheet here somewhere? Go to russiantortoise.org
 

kayem

New Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2014
Messages
6
Thanks for the help.. Weird, I talked to two of the local reptile veterinarians on the phone, and they said fruit was good in moderation. They also said beans were okay, they each gave me a list which included all of the foods I listed above. And yes, I only give him carrots about once a month or even less. :) Oh, I did forget to mention I do give him kale as well, though he usually doesn't touch it.
 
Last edited:

Hix2008

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
54
My Russians don't like kale and they never touch the weeds I planted for them they just run them over. I feed them spring mix , broccoli, & grape leaves. They do like prickly pear but I only give every two weeks.
 

kayem

New Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2014
Messages
6
Hi Hix2008! I appreciate your comment! Yes, Oscar rarely if ever eats kale or other weeds like that. I'm not sure if he was only fed spring mix in the pet store, but that's all he likes! And I'm not sure about the mixed opinions about fruit and beans, but two veterinarians did tell me they were fine, so I'll probably continue to give them to him in moderation. :)
 

leigti

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
7,026
Location (City and/or State)
southeast Washington
Check out the Russian tortoise section on this forum. There is a great list of foods out there to choose from besides what you're feeding. Sometimes it takes the tortoise a little bit to eat what they're supposed to, just like little kids. Mix in what they like with The good stuff that they should eat and they will eventually eat the correct diet. A lot of vets give you the wrong information, I think they get the different species mixed up tortoise versus turtle etc.
 

Tyanna

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
1,077
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Fruit is to high in sugar and could hurt your Russian tortoise. My tortoise took awhile to warm up to kale, mustard, collard, and turnip greens. I mixed it in with his spring mix and he is starting to love it now.
 
Joined
Aug 8, 2014
Messages
4
Hi, we have to of these and they get dandelion leaves and flowers (their fav by far!), watercress, rocket, rose petals, marigolds, pansies and daisies. Have steered away from 'processed' foods so that they get nothing but natural. Each feed is sprinkled with a pinch calcium dust. They seem happy and the tile is often empty by bed time. As a treat, and we've only had them 4 months, they have a leaf of kos lettuce and they've had that twice but they LOVE it. I've been told it's like tortoise heaven but not great for them, hence the reluctance to include it as part of their staple diet. I hope that helps?


Hannah's Horsefields
 

Jabuticaba

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Messages
1,744
Location (City and/or State)
Winnipeg, MB
Bananas are especially not good for them; too much sugar. Stick to greens, especially the wild and/or garden varieties. Here are some of the thing I feed my guys: Ice plant (succulent), echinacea, pansies, petunias, plantain weeds, dandelions, thistle, hibiscus.

I also sprout my own chia seeds and spring mix. And I saved some mallow and dandelion seeds that sprouted and grew quite nicely indoor, during the winter.

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1407546474.796393.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1407546491.869204.jpg


May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES
 
Top