Are gopher tortoises omnivorous

[save the gopher tortoise]

I have heard that gopher tortoises have been known to eat carcasses, is that true?

 

[Yvonne G]

Mainly they're vegetarians, (I couldn't think of "herbivores" until David said it) however if they come across a carcass they may sample it. I've seen a Russian tortoise eat a lizard.

 

[dmmj]

They are classified as herbivores. But they can be opportunistic feeders and eat whatever they can come across. But in captivity you want their diet to be herbivores.

 

[save the gopher tortoise]

K just said that because I wondered to try new things besides the once in awhile graze

 

[Berkeley]

They don't really eat carrion (or carcasses), but are known to eat the bones from skeletons that they come across. It is good wear for their beaks, as well as calcium.

--Berkeley

 

[JohnnyB65]

They don't really eat carrion (or carcasses), but are known to eat the bones from skeletons that they come across. It is good wear for their beaks, as well as calcium.

--Berkeley

Wow that's interesting about the bone. I've tried to provide calcium in a few different forms. but hes just not interested. The neighbors had a birthday party in the yard behind mine and one of the kids through a chicken bone over the wall into my yard which was quickly cleaned of the meat by ants. Maybe I should have left the bone for my tortoise.