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A diet consisting of an assortment of these plants is nutritionally complete; additional vitamin,
calcium, or other mineral supplementation is not necessary and may be harmful.
All tortoises must be kept outside, as temperatures permit, to insure adequate exposure to UVB to maintain normal
calcium metabolism.
Favored Native Plants: All of plant consumed unless otherwise noted
| Hoary abutilon |
Arizona cottontop grass |
Bamboo Muhly grass |
| Blue grama grass |
Buckwheats |
Cassia |
| Curly mesquite grass |
Deer grass |
Desert four o'clock |
| Desert Honeysuckle |
Desert senna |
Desert Willow (flowers) |
| Evening Primrose * |
Fern acacia (flowers) |
Globe mallows * |
| Morning Glory |
Plantain * |
Prickly pear (fruit & new pads) |
| Hibiscus (flowers & leaves) |
Spurges * |
Trailing four o'clock |
| Vine Mesquite grass |
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Acceptable produce:
| Barley |
Bean sprouts (mung) |
Beet greens |
| Bok choy |
Carrot greens |
Cilantro |
| Collard greens |
Endive |
Kale |
| Mustard greens |
Parsley |
String beans |
| Snow peas |
Spinach |
Turnip greens |
Other Healthy foods:
| Mix of Alfalfa & grass (Bermuda or Timothy) |
Bluegrass lawn |
| Cantaloupe leaves |
Clover * |
| Dandelion greens |
Grape leaves & shoots |
| Mulberry leaves * |
Pumpkin leaves * |
| Rose petals * |
Watercress |
| Zucchini/Squash leaves |
*= good for young tortoises/hatchlings
Avoid the following:
Desert Tortoises should never be given protein rich foods (such as dog or cat food) or animal proteins (meats or dairy products).
| All types of lettuce |
Avocado |
| ALL fruit |
Cabbage |
| Celery |
Cucumber |
| Mushrooms |
Canned/frozen vegetables |
| Starchy vegetables (like corn) |
Chinaberry berries |
| Plants in the Nicotiana genus |
© Sonora Veterinary Group, 2011
Free for distribution with proper citation.
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