Outdoor dining!!

[Sheldons Gran]

Hi All. I'm still pretty new to all this but loving every minute with our Hermanns tortoise!! We've been building an outdoor enclosure so he can have to outdoor fun in the warmer months. My concern is about what he could eat when he's outside. I've read so much about what you should and shouldn't feed them. How can you guarantee he won't eat something dangerous outside? There's so much to nibble on and I'll be worried he'll eat something that will make him sick!

Pictures just because he's so cute !!

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome!

You are going to get a ton of advice here, much of what will be “Don’t let him eat anything until you know exactly what it is.” You are also going to get a ton of references to the Tortoise Table, a data base of “safe”and “unsafe” foods: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/. It has the advantage of being built and maintained in the UK so will have more plant references than for those of us in North America.

That said, many of us find the Tortoise Table overly restrictive, relying on mammal research, rather than actual tortoise research—there simply isn’t much research specific to tortoises and their digestive systems. I am one of those people.

I’m a fan of familarizing yourself with what grows primarily in your yard. A good way to start with that is by pulling up a “common yard weeds” list from your area; just Google it and someone is likely to have identified a bunch of “pest” plants. They might be a hassle in a tidy yard but they are likely to be just the thing for your tortoise!

From there you can come back to this sight and just do a search for those plant names directly; you will not at all be the first person to have asked about the plant. I would focus on replies from long-term owners in the U.K. who have plenty of feeding experience, not just users pointing to the Tortoise Table. It’s fine to check there, just bear in mind it isn’t a bible.

If you have no idea what a plant is there is a subforum pinned to the top of this one where you can ask for help with identification. Someone there might also give you a suggestion of an app that can help with plant identification. These can be hit or miss; I would look for one that was built in or maintained by someone in the U.K., again because they are more likely to have a focus on plants in your area. A good place to start, just know you may still need to come back here for additional feedback sometimes.

I personally think we over focus on the danger of eating unknown plants. For all the warnings we post there are next to no records of a tortoise coming to harm from eating a “wrong” food. A varied diet is best and you can improve your tortoise’s diet by giving him access to some weeds.

All that said, I am only one person, with one opinion. There is never a reason to feed your tortoise a food you aren’t comfortable with, especially when you are new. Except for buttercups! I will go to my grave identifying them as a safe food!!

 

[Sheldons Gran]

Welcome!

You are going to get a ton of advice here, much of what will be “Don’t let him eat anything until you know exactly what it is.” You are also going to get a ton of references to the Tortoise Table, a data base of “safe”and “unsafe” foods: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/. It has the advantage of being built and maintained in the UK so will have more plant references than for those of us in North America.

That said, many of us find the Tortoise Table overly restrictive, relying on mammal research, rather than actual tortoise research—there simply isn’t much research specific to tortoises and their digestive systems. I am one of those people.

I’m a fan of familarizing yourself with what grows primarily in your yard. A good way to start with that is by pulling up a “common yard weeds” list from your area; just Google it and someone is likely to have identified a bunch of “pest” plants. They might be a hassle in a tidy yard but they are likely to be just the thing for your tortoise!

From there you can come back to this sight and just do a search for those plant names directly; you will not at all be the first person to have asked about the plant. I would focus on replies from long-term owners in the U.K. who have plenty of feeding experience, not just users pointing to the Tortoise Table. It’s fine to check there, just bear in mind it isn’t a bible.

If you have no idea what a plant is there is a subforum pinned to the top of this one where you can ask for help with identification. Someone there might also give you a suggestion of an app that can help with plant identification. These can be hit or miss; I would look for one that was built in or maintained by someone in the U.K., again because they are more likely to have a focus on plants in your area. A good place to start, just know you may still need to come back here for additional feedback sometimes.

I personally think we over focus on the danger of eating unknown plants. For all the warnings we post there are next to no records of a tortoise coming to harm from eating a “wrong” food. A varied diet is best and you can improve your tortoise’s diet by giving him access to some weeds.

All that said, I am only one person, with one opinion. There is never a reason to feed your tortoise a food you aren’t comfortable with, especially when you are new. Except for buttercups! I will go to my grave identifying them as a safe food!!

Thanks so much for the great reply! I've heard of the Tortoise Table and will have another look. I'll get snapping pictures of what's growing in the garden tomorrow if the rain stops. Sheldon pretty much eats everything or will at least give it a nibble, so I know he'll have his face in everything We're just mad about the little fella and want to keep him as safe as possible

 

[RosemaryDW]

A good eater is always better than a fussy one!