Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Also posted this on general Tortoise forum but thought I would put here too. Does anyone know if these weeks are ok for tortoises to eat. They are everywhere on our property (No. Cal).

Thanks

Yes, those are OK weeds to feed. The first photo is fennel, sometimes called storks bill, the source of annoying little twisty seeds in your sox. Many tortoises like them when green, and this invasive Eurasian is all over the West now. The others are chickweed, the small leafy with tiny white flowers. The other is miners lettuce, both are well liked but mostly water, which is why they grow on wet embankments and ravines. Try eating some miners lettuce yourself, it is pretty good. I have fed lots of the above to my herd, the miners lettuce being most favored. You can get a lot of free food this time of year in Nor-cal, and much of it they will love. You might find vetch growing nearby, I fed lots of it, while it was flowering and my herd loved it. I regarded it an exception to the "no legumes" advisory. Moderation in all things... vic