FEEDING

Advice on feeding your tortoise with succulent plants

Opuntia and other cacti make a food supply that is available to many tortoises in the wild, but also one that is loaded with both fibre and calcium.

 It is also a  food for your pet tortoise that can be easily propagated both indoors and out, and provides a renewable food source. 

Spineless varieties are available, but it is also very simple to expose the finer spines to a source of flame, such as the burner of a gas stove or a small hand torch. The larger spines can easily be removed by hand with little danger of injury.

Feeding Tips

Feed in moderation: Too many succulents can give your tortoise loose stools or diarrhea because of high water content and a laxative effect.

Remove chemicals: Store-bought plants often carry fertilizers and insecticides. Repot new plants in fresh topsoil and wait for new leaf growth before feeding. Our plants are grown organically - so are pesticide-free!

Check safety: Use a reliable guide like The Tortoise Table to verify specific plant species before feeding.