Desert Tortoise Diet

A diet consisting of an assortment of these plants is nutritionally complete. Additional vitamin, calcium, other mineral supplementation and the use of “tortoise pellets” is not necessary and may be harmful.

All tortoises must be kept outside, as temperatures permit (freezing temperatures in an exposed or inadequate hibernation site should be avoided). This insures adequate exposure to UVB to maintain normal calcium metabolism.

This diet may also be used for Greek and Russian Tortoises. For other species of tortoise please see their specific lists.

Favored Native Plants (Entire plant consumed unless otherwise noted)

  • 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*

  • Hibiscus (flowers & leaves)

  • Hoary abutilon

  • Morning Glory

  • Plantain*

  • Prickly Pear (fruit & new pads)

  • Spurges*

  • Trailing Four O'Clock

  • Vine Mesquite Grass

Acceptable Produce (as supplementation or while native plants are recovering or being established):

  • Barley

  • Bean Sprouts (mung)

  • Beet Greens

  • Bok Choy

  • Carrot Greens

  • Cilantro

  • Collard Greens

  • Endive

  • Kale

  • Mustard Greens

  • Parsley

  • Snow Peas

  • Spinach

  • String Beans

  • Turnip Greens

Other Healthy Foods:

  • Bluegrass Lawn

  • Cantaloupe Leaves

  • Clover*

  • Dandelion Greens

  • Grape Leaves & Shoots

  • Mix of Alfalfa & Grass (Bermuda or Timothy)

  • 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), animal proteins (meats or dairy products) or insects.

  • All Fruit (except prickly pear in season)

  • All Types of Lettuce (including Romaine)

  • Avocado

  • Cabbage

  • Canned/Frozen Vegetables

  • Celery

  • Chinaberry Berries

  • Cucumber

  • Mushrooms

  • Plants in the Nicotiana Genus

  • Starchy Vegetables (like corn)