As the proud owner of multiple tortoises consisting of a variety of the species, I have done much reading and research on their diets. While not everything is known, the diet I have formulated has worked very well for my tortoises as well as an adjunct to the diet of my Bearded Dragons, Frilled Dragon, Chinese Water Dragon, Mali Uromastyx, Monkey Tailed Skink (aka Prehensile-Tailed Skink) and Blue Tongued Skink. Not only are they healthy but many of them are also reproducing very healthy young! Click on this link – Dr. Bart’s Tortoise Diet to see what they eat.
Here is a list of the tortoises my family owns:
- California Desert Tortoises
- Russian Tortoises
- Sulcata (African Spurred) Tortoise
- Leopard Tortoises
- Cherry Head Tortoises
- Indian Star Tortoise
- Pancake Tortoise
Diet Instructions
Grind up the following in food processor:
- Carrots (regular or juice carrots)
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Zucchini or other squash – seasonal
- Pumpkin – Saved in freezer, pre-cut and/or ground up
Blend into very small pieced. Place into mixing bowl and stir in water soaked Mazuri Tortoise Chow – Our family has named this “Mush”. Leftover can be kept in covered bowl in the refrigerator.
For Adult Tortoises – Greens – Prepare tray(s) with the following items hand shredded:
- Romaine lettuce
- Red Leaf lettuce
- Green Leaf lettuce
- Spinach
Cover this with the above mix.
For Babies and Juvenile Tortoises and Lizards:
Blend/grind up equal amounts of the above greens, mix 50/50 with the “Mush”, store in zip lock bag. This mix is good for 2-3 days when kept in refrigerator