Newbie...

[koopa_45]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, need some guidance with my new 1 year old Hermann's tortoise. Koopa's current diet is a mix of dandelion greens, cactus pads, shredded carrots, some greens (mustards, collard, kale), and bok choy.

I'm in Southern California, i'm looking to grow my own pansy flowers, plantain plant, and hibiscus flowers. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Tom]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum, need some guidance with my new 1 year old Hermann's tortoise. Koopa's current diet is a mix of dandelion greens, cactus pads, shredded carrots, some greens (mustards, collard, kale), and bok choy.

I'm in Southern California, i'm looking to grow my own pansy flowers, plantain plant, and hibiscus flowers. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Hello and welcome. The items you mentioned are okay as part of a varied diet, except for the carrot. I'd leave that out. Too sugary. The main grocery store greens to use, if you must use them at all, are endive and escarole. Try to make those two the main staples and use all those others for variety. It would be good if you amended those grocery store greens with:

• Mazuri tortoise chow
• ZooMed Grassland Tortoise chow
• ZooMed Forest tortoise Chow
• Herbal hay: https://www.tortoisesupply.com/HerbalHay
• Some of the many offerings from Will at Kapidolo Farms: https://kapidolofarms.com/161-2/

Our winter rains bring us tons of good weeds to feed, and spring brings all sorts of good stuff. Here is a small starter list of good things to feed instead of grocery store lettuce. When feeding flowers and such, be sure not to use store bought stuff because it will be full of systemic pesticides that cannot be washed away. Grow your own, or cut from long established, untreated plants:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

 

[koopa_45]

Thank you Tom! The above is very helpful, I really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Yvonne G]

Be sure to read our Hermanns care sheet. You'll find it pinned towards the top of the Hermanns section.