My tortoise partner sent me this study:
"Diets and food preferences of two South African tortoises Geochelone pardalis and Psammobates oculifer
Rall, M | Fairall, N
South African Journal of Wildlife Research [S. AFR. J. WILDL. RES./S.-AFR. TYDSKR. NATUURNAVORS.]. Vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 63-70. 1993.
The diet and plant species preferences of two sympatric tortoises, the mountain tortoise Geochelone pardalis and serrated tortoise Psammobates oculifer, were studied in the northern Cape Province, South Africa. Owing to the difference in rainfall patterns during the two years of study, differing results were obtained between study periods and between tortoise species. During the dry year both tortoises used the vegetation in relation to its availability; grass was used extensively as were succulents. In the higher rainfall study period a greater variety of ephemerals was available. The mountain tortoise extended its use of available species but continued to use grass; this component disappeared completely from the diet of the serrated tortoise and they concentrated on herbs and succulents. Preference in both species is for succulents and species of the Fabaceae. Tribulus terrestris also featured in both diets in both periods. It is suggested that the patterns shown reflect the climatic affinities of the two species."
Tribulus terrestris is good old puncture vine. And Fabaciae are plants in the legume family like peas and beans. Ephemerals are plants with a short life cycle like spring-time weeds and grasses.
"Diets and food preferences of two South African tortoises Geochelone pardalis and Psammobates oculifer
Rall, M | Fairall, N
South African Journal of Wildlife Research [S. AFR. J. WILDL. RES./S.-AFR. TYDSKR. NATUURNAVORS.]. Vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 63-70. 1993.
The diet and plant species preferences of two sympatric tortoises, the mountain tortoise Geochelone pardalis and serrated tortoise Psammobates oculifer, were studied in the northern Cape Province, South Africa. Owing to the difference in rainfall patterns during the two years of study, differing results were obtained between study periods and between tortoise species. During the dry year both tortoises used the vegetation in relation to its availability; grass was used extensively as were succulents. In the higher rainfall study period a greater variety of ephemerals was available. The mountain tortoise extended its use of available species but continued to use grass; this component disappeared completely from the diet of the serrated tortoise and they concentrated on herbs and succulents. Preference in both species is for succulents and species of the Fabaceae. Tribulus terrestris also featured in both diets in both periods. It is suggested that the patterns shown reflect the climatic affinities of the two species."
Tribulus terrestris is good old puncture vine. And Fabaciae are plants in the legume family like peas and beans. Ephemerals are plants with a short life cycle like spring-time weeds and grasses.