Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey y'all...

Wondering if these items would be appropriate to include in a leopard tortoise's diet:

Watercress
Rappi
Mustard greens (I have read these are fine, but they do have a spicy bite to them. Would think turtles wouldn't like 'em so much. Am I wrong?
Bok Choy
parsnips (LOADED with calcium, from what I have read)
carrot greens
beet greens
sweet potato (high in fiber)
radish greens
parsley

I'm a newbie leopard tort owner and want to be certain I'm not going to feed a diet which will lead to pyramiding and other wacky problems. I do know enough to avoide spinach and kale. Right now, I am feeding timothy hay as the base with collard greens and leaf lettuce as I know those are safe. Reptical is used to supplement.

Comments about any of the above would be GREATLY appreciated. FYI, my leopard tort is a juvi, born at the beginning of this past summer.

Thanks folks!

--Matt

try to keep it as a small portion of the diet (the liquid contents in some of them are quite high) you wouldn't want to turn your bambino into that porcupine just now on sale at fauna classified

Those are "OK" but endive, escarole, dandelion and turnup greens are better, look for these at the supermarket!! You have the right idea about the supplements and the hay...

-Ian

hi matt,

it seems that everyone gets a few strong opinions about what to feed and what not to feed their torts. i know some people that would gasp at the bok choy. i look at your list and would be surprised if your torts went for the beet greens and carrot tops.

each one of the items you listed (including spinach and kale) have their nutritional benefits and many have a known "antinutrient."

here's what i do for my russians (over 80 healthy hatchlings produced, some raised for 10 years -- no pyramiding). i give as varied a diet as i can find. i never feed just a single item, unless i'm casually tossing a dandelion flower into their enclosure. this includes some items that people have freaked about -- spinach and kale. neither of these are a problem until they become a major part of the diet. the most common greens i use are turnip and dandelion, but even these together constitute less than 40% of their diet. i always mix in chopped timothy hay for fiber (~2cups/gallon food). they don't go after it alone, but don't avoid it mixed in.

everything in moderation and as much variety as you can manage.

also try cactus pads, hibiscus flower, and definitely turnip greens!

matt