The Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) is one of the most popular species in the pet world—for several reasons! These hardy reptiles are easy-going and rarely grow larger than 8 inches, making them ideal for keeping indoors. With an average lifespan of up to 60 years, a Russian tortoise can easily be a lifelong companion.
In this article, I’ll teach you the basics of Russian tortoise food needs and how to provide a healthy, well-rounded diet.
Natural Diet in the Wild
The Russian tortoise is native to western Russia and adjacent parts of the Middle East. In this region, tortoises primarily live in arid environments where plant life is somewhat scarce. They spend their days grazing on plant material like rough grasses, shrubs, and even wild flowers.
Nutritional Requirements
Russian tortoises are adapted to a diet that is extremely high in fiber and low in almost everything else. These tortoises thrive on food that is low in moisture, fat, protein, and sugar. In fact, I think the Russian tortoise’s metabolism is quite impressive for this very reason!
Recommended Foods for Russian Tortoises
The ideal Russian tortoise diet consists almost entirely of high-fiber leafy greens. Fresh vegetables can add variety to your tortoise’s diet and help ensure it gets enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Leafy Greens
A Russian tortoise will happily graze on dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. However, these foods aren’t always available. Leafy greens from the produce aisle can be a great alternative.
The greens of turnips, mustards, and collards are all excellent sources of healthy fiber. I also recommend watercress and parsley in smaller quantities. These can likely all be found at your local grocery store.
Vegetables
Other vegetables can be added to your tortoise’s food, but shouldn’t make up the majority of its diet. Salad greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale are all appropriate in smaller portions. I also recommend offering fresh spring mix containing a variety of baby greens. Endive, chicory, and radicchio are some less common vegetables that are safe for tortoises.
While iceberg lettuce is not toxic to tortoises, I typically advise against feeding it. Iceberg lettuce offers almost no nutritional value to a hungry tortoise and can lead to nutritional deficiencies if fed too often. Opt instead for Romaine, red-leaf, or green-leaf lettuce.
Fruits (in moderation)
Safe fruits you can feed your tortoise (in moderation) include things like kiwi, banana, strawberry, apple, and prickly pear.
Fruit might seem like a great treat for your Russian tortoise. After all, fruit is a healthy part of a balanced diet for humans like you and me. However, it’s important to keep in mind just how much sugar a piece of fruit contains in comparison to a tortoise’s normal diet.
In short, fruit shouldn’t be a regular addition to your Russian tortoise’s diet. Consider offering small pieces of fruit only every few weeks. Some owners choose not to feed any fruit at all.
Safe Edible Flowers
Wild tortoises frequently eat flowers found in their native habitats. You can introduce edible flowers into your Russian tortoise’s diet for some fun color and variety.
Some common flowers you can feed your tortoise include hibiscus, roses, dandelions, and pansies. Be sure to only feed flowers that are free of harmful treatments like pesticides or herbicides.
Of course, not all flowers are safe for Russian tortoises to consume. The good news is that there are several trusted resources, such as the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, that share lists of safe, edible plant materials.
Foods to Avoid
Russian tortoises are super easy to keep healthy and well-fed if you follow the guidelines above. However, it’s always a good idea to educate yourself on potentially toxic or harmful foods to avoid.
While this section is far from exhaustive, it offers a brief overview of the most common ‘bad’ foods I see fed to pet tortoises. It also includes some tips for identifying potentially toxic plants in your tortoise’s environment.
Harmful Foods
Avoid foods that are high in fat, protein, or sugar. Russian tortoises aren’t built to digest such nutrient-dense foods, and things like excess sugar can damage their delicate gut biome.
Don’t feed things like cat or dog kibble—you might be surprised by how often this bad advice is given to new tortoise owners! Russian tortoises also shouldn’t eat live food like crickets or mealworms.
Toxic Plants
In my experience, the worst offenders in this category are plants high in oxalates. Some common examples include rhubarb, beets, and spinach. Many ornamental plants (including popular houseplants like pothos and philodendron) are also high in oxalates.
Oxalates can accumulate in your tortoise’s kidneys, causing various health problems. Note that oxalates are much more likely to cause issues if your tortoise is already dehydrated.
I always recommend researching any new plants you plan to feed your tortoises. It’s also a good idea to look up plants your tortoise potentially has access to, such as houseplants or plants growing around an outdoor enclosure. Remove any plants that you find to be toxic.
Feeding Schedule and Portions
Because their diet is so low in calories, tortoises need a lot of food to meet their energy needs. A popular rule of thumb is to feed your Russian tortoise every day. This daily portion should be a pile consisting primarily of broadleaf weeds that is about the same size as your tortoise’s shell.
It’s normal for appetite to change throughout a tortoise’s life. For example, many tortoises eat more in the springtime as they go through their annual ‘growth spurt’.
The best advice I can give is to always give your Russian tortoise a chance to eat during the day—even if they have little or no appetite. Leave the food for about 30 minutes and then remove any uneaten food until the next day.
I should note that the above info primarily applies to tortoises housed indoors. If your Russian tortoise has access to an outdoor enclosure, it may be grazing on (safe) grasses and weeds throughout the day. You should still provide fresh food daily, but your tortoise may not have as large of an appetite as its indoor counterparts.
Supplements
Feeding your Russian tortoise a proper diet will ensure most of its vitamin and mineral needs are met through food alone. However, most domestic tortoises still need a little help meeting their nutritional needs in the form of supplements.
Calcium is the most common supplement given to pet tortoises. Calcium is a huge component of your tortoise’s shell and is also vital for several bodily functions. There are many reptile calcium supplements available—your vet can suggest the best one for your tortoise. Cuttlebone is another great source of calcium for tortoises.
Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies can occur in response to poor diet or other health problems. I always recommend talking to a veterinarian if you have any concerns about your tortoise’s diet. Adding supplements to your tortoise’s diet that it doesn’t need can easily do more harm than good.
Hydration Needs
In the wild, Russian tortoises can go a very long time without water (for example, their bodies are capable of filtering out waste with minimal water). This allows them to survive during periods of drought or extreme heat.
Russian tortoises may be adapted to dry climates, but they still a good care regime and need daily access to clean water in captivity. Most tortoises also enjoy weekly soaks in warm water—this ritual is both soothing and can help keep your tortoise properly hydrated.
Citations
RussianTortoise.org The Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
PetMD Russian Tortoise
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital Edible Plants and Weeds for Tortoises
