Callistemon

[Theo.tortoise.lover.7]

Hi everyone!

A section of my backyard recently got remodeled and is perfect for a tortoise enclosure. It is about 15x30 feet and is planted with agave, smaller succulents, long grasses, and is up against the side of the house. It looks amazing and would be perfect for a few leopards, however, Callistemon, otherwise known as Bottlebrush, was planted. There are two Bottlebrush plants in the middle of the area. I am wondering if anyone if they are toxic and harmful to tortoises. I would love to make it a tortoise enclosure, but prefer not to remove the plants. I am obviously able to change other parts of my yard to make one, but it just seems to be in a perfect place right on the side of our patio. Thanks!

 

[Markw84]

The California Poison Control database shows Bottlebrush as a non-toxic plant and pet-safe. But that is not saying it is necessarily good tortoise food.

The Tortoise Table, which is extremely conservative in it's appraisals, lists bottlebrush as a "do not feed". High in tannins and probably not palatable to tortoises.

So your tortoises probably would not want to eat it, and even if they did in small amounts - it would not be a problem. But in larger quantities, a build up of tannic acid can lead to kidney and gastro-intestinal problems long-term. I would not purposely plant a bottlebrush in an enclosure.

 

[Theo.tortoise.lover.7]

The California Poison Control database shows Bottlebrush as a non-toxic plant and pet-safe. But that is not saying it is necessarily good tortoise food.

The Tortoise Table, which is extremely conservative in it's appraisals, lists bottlebrush as a "do not feed". High in tannins and probably not palatable to tortoises.

So your tortoises probably would not want to eat it, and even if they did in small amounts - it would not be a problem. But in larger quantities, a build up of tannic acid can lead to kidney and gastro-intestinal problems long-term. I would not purposely plant a bottlebrush in an enclosure.

Okay thank you! I have a question then... because it is currently a small bush, if i made a wall around it, like completely blocked it off from the enclosure, do you think that it would be okay? I also just read on African Tortoise that it is okay. http://africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm . But i am assuming that it is better safe than sorry

 

[Markw84]

Okay thank you! I have a question then... because it is currently a small bush, if i made a wall around it, like completely blocked it off from the enclosure, do you think that it would be okay? I also just read on African Tortoise that it is okay. http://africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm . But i am assuming that it is better safe than sorry

Since the African tortoise website lists it as OK, I wouldn't worry about it. And the Poison Control database lists it as safe as well. As I said, I have found the Tortoise Table to be extremely conservative and have found several they list as "do not feed" as completely good foods. I'll bet your tortoises will not show interest in it as food anyway. If you see them actually consuming it eagerly, then revisit the decision. I personally would go more by the African Tortoise website recommendation.