Foods to avoid

[Kk1221kk]

I'm new to tortoise ownership and wondering if there are any food items known to be toxic to all tortoise types, like a general list of things to avoid, regardless of species. Sort of like dogs with grapes or chocolate. Specifically, we are getting a young Burmese Mtn tortoise.

 

[wellington]

Spinach is too be avoided by all as far as I know. Also, check the tortoisetable.org for other items. You can also check on the tortoiselibrary.com

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Here is the resource that I use for nutrition info.... This website is courtesy of one of our mods Madkins007.
https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/system/app/pages/search?scope=search-site&q=Food

 

[RedfootsRule]

Spinach is too be avoided by all as far as I know. Also, check the tortoisetable.org for other items. You can also check on the tortoiselibrary.com

Where did you hear that? Spinach actually has quite a lot to offer. The only reason people warn against it...Is oxalic acid. Which, really, is not harmful if the tortoise is hydrated. The amounts of oxalates in spinach should be harmless. Spinach is just as good as the next green in a varied diet, really. It should be limited, but not overlooked.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Another point about spinach is that it is high in protien and really good for torts as long as it is not a staple and varied. If you are worried about urates or a stone developing you could serve it with romaine lettuce.

 

[RedfootsRule]

Another point about spinach is that it is high in protien and really good for torts as long as it is not a staple and varied. If you are worried about urates or a stone developing you could serve it with romaine lettuce.

Actualy, high-oxalate foods are best paired with high-calcium greens. The calcium oxalate crystals thus formed are easily passed through the urine if the tortoise is well-hydrated enough.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I always use serve the spinach with romaine because I suspect my tortoises are not as well hydrated in the winter as they are when they are outside in the spring/summer.

 

[RedfootsRule]

I always use serve the spinach with romaine because I suspect my tortoises are not as well hydrated in the winter as they are when they are outside in the spring/summer.

Do you believe that romaine has more water content then other greens like collards, turnips, etc.? I've never heard one way or another, but just curious.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I always use serve the spinach with romaine because I suspect my tortoises are not as well hydrated in the winter as they are when they are outside in the spring/summer.

Do you believe that romaine has more water content then other greens like collards, turnips, etc.? I've never heard one way or another, but just curious.

Yes, I believe it has minimal nutritional value but is good for hydration. I don't feed produce during the summer now that my outside enclosures are fully planted. So I spend a lot of the winter trying to find the perfect variation of store brought greens. Every time I notice Sid not going to the bathroom as much or having increased unrate's I feed romaine and it seems to fix the problem and gives him really nice moist poops.

 

[RedfootsRule]

I always use serve the spinach with romaine because I suspect my tortoises are not as well hydrated in the winter as they are when they are outside in the spring/summer.

Do you believe that romaine has more water content then other greens like collards, turnips, etc.? I've never heard one way or another, but just curious.

Yes, I believe it has minimal nutritional value but is good for hydration. I don't feed produce during the summer now that my outside enclosures are fully planted. So I spend a lot of the winter trying to find the perfect variation of store brought greens. Every time I notice Sid not going to the bathroom as much or having increased unrate's I feed romaine and it seems to fix the problem and gives him really nice moist poops.

Wow, lettuce actually does have a pretty high water content. Interesting....94.9%, so they say. However, at the same time, the water content of yellow squash is 95%, papaya 90%, and they both have more to offer nutritionally, so I would personally lead towards that. Not that there is anything wrong with romaine...Just seems like squashes would be a better pick.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I always use serve the spinach with romaine because I suspect my tortoises are not as well hydrated in the winter as they are when they are outside in the spring/summer.

Do you believe that romaine has more water content then other greens like collards, turnips, etc.? I've never heard one way or another, but just curious.

Yes, I believe it has minimal nutritional value but is good for hydration. I don't feed produce during the summer now that my outside enclosures are fully planted. So I spend a lot of the winter trying to find the perfect variation of store brought greens. Every time I notice Sid not going to the bathroom as much or having increased unrate's I feed romaine and it seems to fix the problem and gives him really nice moist poops.

Wow, lettuce actually does have a pretty high water content. Interesting....94.9%, so they say. However, at the same time, the water content of yellow squash is 95%, papaya 90%, and they both have more to offer nutritionally, so I would personally lead towards that. Not that there is anything wrong with romaine...Just seems like squashes would be a better pick.

Thanks, I will try the squash next time.

 

[AesopTortoise]

Africantortoise.com has a very reliable toxic/beneficial food list.

 

[jaizei]

Africantortoise.com has a very reliable toxic/beneficial food list.

It lists Philodendron, Colocasia, and Alocosia as toxic, however all three are often recommended as diet items for Manouria.

 

[Kk1221kk]

Thanks all! Very helpful discussion.

 

[GBtortoises]

I'd avoid feeding them chili. Gives them terrible gas.

 

[Moozillion]

Another good site is The Tortoise Table.