Plant ID for RT

Erisna

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
25
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
Finally found some weeds in my landscaped area; anybody know what they are, and if they’re edible for a Russian?

1.25C34F8E-2BB9-4DC4-9FDD-8E66002BFFE6.jpeg

2. 46953AA6-C35C-49B5-A6A2-1B329E4761EB.jpeg

3. 7EE13643-C644-4416-90B9-BDD5AF1C761E.jpeg
 

Fish Breath

Active Member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Messages
110
Location (City and/or State)
NY
2nd one is copperleaf. Might be edible, is for gopher tortoises, might not be for Russians. I wouldn’t feed it. Not much info on it
 

Fish Breath

Active Member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Messages
110
Location (City and/or State)
NY
1st one is HIGHLY TOXIC, don’t feed it at ALL, but don’t be too alarmed if your tortoise nibbles on a few leaves, but make sure that he/she don’t, as this could possibly kill your tortoise. It’s a common Purslane
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,269
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I know none of these. Its like you are on the other side of the country or something... :p
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
1st one is HIGHLY TOXIC, don’t feed it at ALL, but don’t be too alarmed if your tortoise nibbles on a few leaves, but make sure that he/she don’t, as this could possibly kill your tortoise. It’s a common Purslane
I think you must have checked that in The Tortoise Table? They are extremely conservative, which is fine for a new owner, but the science doesn’t always hold up. There isn’t any actual evidence that oxalic acid holds the kind of harm attributed to it; when fed as part of a varied diet it’s just fine. Lots of owners here feed it, or let their animals feed on it from the lawn.

Again, no need to feed anything you aren’t comfortable with; I’m just pointing out that not everyone agrees that the Tortoise Table’s database is completely accurate.

Now whether your tortoise will eat it is another matter. Some do, some don’t. My Russian will eat a little in the spring, that’s about it.
 

Fish Breath

Active Member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Messages
110
Location (City and/or State)
NY
I think you must have checked that in The Tortoise Table? They are extremely conservative, which is fine for a new owner, but the science doesn’t always hold up. There isn’t any actual evidence that oxalic acid holds the kind of harm attributed to it; when fed as part of a varied diet it’s just fine. Lots of owners here feed it, or let their animals feed on it from the lawn.

Again, no need to feed anything you aren’t comfortable with; I’m just pointing out that not everyone agrees that the Tortoise Table’s database is completely accurate.

Now whether your tortoise will eat it is another matter. Some do, some don’t. My Russian will eat a little in the spring, that’s about it.
Oh I’m not basing it off of one source; most plants anyways can be fed as part of a varied diet; I do use at least 3 sources each, and if it’s possibly bad for a tort it isn’t worth the risk for me, just saying.
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Oh I’m not basing it off of one source; most plants anyways can be fed as part of a varied diet; I do use at least 3 sources each, and if it’s possibly bad for a tort it isn’t worth the risk for me, just saying.
Of course. Only you can know what’s best for *your* tortoise!
 

Erisna

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
25
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
Thanks for the ID, Fish! Looks like those aren’t good options for daily staples, I’ll keep looking.

Also, Tom, you’re not an expert on every tort safe plant in the northern hemisphere? For shame, for shame!! XD
 
Top