Cart 0
Tortoise Winter Diet. What can I feed my tortoise in winter is a very common question asked by many tortoise keepers. In this blog we explore the different foods you can feed your tortoise over winter.
TORTOISE WINTER DIET: HERBIVORE OR OMNIVORE?
Tortoise Winter Diet depends on whether your tortoise is a Herbivore or Omnivore.
Herbivores: eat plant matter and tend to have longer digestive tracts. “Hindgut” fermenters – fermentation process in cecum (upper part of large intestine). Need to bask to make Vit D3 (UV exposure). Examples: Mediterranean tortoises, Sulcata, Leopard, Indian Star, Pancake.
Omnivores: eat both plants and animals, shorter digestive tracts. Less reliance on basking for Vit D3 production: eat other animals which are rich sources of dietary Vit D3. Examples: Burmese Mountain Tortoise, Hingeback, Red- and Yellow-footed, Elongated tortoises.
Kinixis species (Hinge-back Tortoises such as Bell’s Hingeback and Speke’s Hingeback, from tropical forests and savannahs of central Africa); Indotestudo (forstenii, elongata, etc.) – Southeast Asian Tortoises; Brown Tortoises (Asian Brown, Asian Giant) – Manouria emis – these have a similar habitat to Indotestudo and Kinixys spp. as well as Chelonoidis spp. of South America – hot, humid places.
All these species are found in tropical forests/savannahs near the equator and are usually dark colours (exceptions apply to some Indotestudo spp.) and all are omnivourous.
Most tortoises are opportunistic: even true herbivores can occasionally eat animal sources (i.e. snails).
WHAT CAN I FEED MY TORTOISE IN WINTER?
What can I feed my tortoise in winter is a very common question asked by many tortoise keepers. What you feed your tortoise in winter depends also on the species of tortoise you have. Mediterranean, Horsfield (Russian), Egyptian and Angulate Tortoises originate from Temperate Climates and are used to temperature drops at night and in the winter. Mediterranean & Horsfield tortoises brumate (hibernate) in the winter months in the wild. Therefore, many keepers chose to allow their animals to undergo brumation in captivity as well. However, a few animals cannot brumate for a variety of reasons, for example, if they are underweight or not well, and stay awake during winter months in the UK. Feeding them in the winter months can be a little challenging but with preparation and knowledge, this can be done successfully.
Mediterranean Tortoises include Hermann’s (a number of subspecies), Marginated and Greek Spur-thigh Tortoises (many subspecies).
Tropical Rainforest Tortoises such as Redfoots, Chaco, Yellowfoots, Hingebacks (some species), Burmese Brown and Burmese Black do not brumate in the winter months. This also applies to Grassland or Savannah/Semi-arid tortoises such as Leopard, Sulcata, certain other species of Hingebacks, Indian & Burmese Stars, Radiated, Pancakes and Aldabra.
TORTOISE WINTER FOOD – FRESH AND DRIED TORTOISE FOODS
Tortoise Winter Food will, therefore, depend on the tortoise species you have and whether they are a herbivore or an omnivore.
Both herbivorous and omnivorous tortoises can greatly benefit from having as much fresh food as possible. They all tend to prefer fresh to dried foods. If you are able to forage for fresh weeds or grow your own in the winter on a windowsill or conservatory, this is, of course, the best solution. Alternatively, you could buy supermarket salads containing herbs and leaves such as Endive, Chicory, Radicchio, Wild Rocket and Lamb’s lettuce. However, these greens contain very little fibre that tortoises need and, for this reason, they need to be supplemented with dried herbs & flowers for a more balanced diet.
Not everyone has green fingers or has the space or time to grow your own. At Hever Tortoise World we grow our own TORTOISE WINTER FOOD for sale if you cannot grow or forage yourself. Alternatively, you could GROW YOUR OWN with our ORGANIC PLUG PLANTS. All our plants are grown in the most natural way, using Sustainable, Organic Principles of Horticulture without utilizing harmful chemicals or artificial fertilisers. We grow a large variety of wild and cultivated plants which are suitable for all tortoise species to be fed over the winter months. All our Potted Live Plants & Plug Plants are Certified Organic by Organic Farmers & Growers, the UK’s First Organic Certification Body.
To increase fibre content of tortoise winter food for Herbivorous species, it is a good idea to add Readigrass and Testudo Pre Alpin Agrobs range of dried grasses and herbs. This is suitable for all herbivorous tortoises such as Mediterranean, Horsfield as well as Grassland/Savannah tortoises (Indian & Burmese Stars, Leopard & Sulcatas), as their natural diet consists of grasses and herbs.
Omnivorous tortoises do not usually consume grasses in their natural habitats. There are exceptions, of course, as in the case of some Hingeback species. To increase fibre of omnivorous tortoises such as Redfoots, Yellowfoots and Burmese Brown/Black tortoises, try adding a variety of dried flowers, herbs and leaves to their fresh green foods. Even better to add these to cooked meat, mushrooms or fruit. The moist nature of these foods will ensure they are well covered by dried ingredients, which in turn, will make dried food more palatable to tortoises.
We have developed a number of Dried Tortoise Edible Flowers, Herbs and Leaf mixtures which are available as FOOD HAMPERS – a very cost effective way of purchasing dried foods. Ranging from Small, Medium and Large specifically designed for Mediterranean, Forest, Baby and Grassland Tortoises, there are Hampers to suit every budget and every tortoise taste!
HOW TO FEED DRIED FOODS TO TORTOISES
Tortoises are creatures of habit. If they have been fed a particular food (i.e. lettuce) for a long time, many refuse to eat anything else, both fresh and dry.
The most important thing to remember with fussy tortoises is that it takes sometimes a considerable length of time to re-train their feeding habits, and that, with patience and perseverance, it is possible to achieve this.
At Hever Tortoise World we have had a number of tortoises coming to us having been fed mainly lettuce and refusing to eat anything else. As every tortoise is individual (also depending on the species), different methods work best to try and introduce a wider variety of foods.
One method that worked for us for a very fussy adult Horsfield tortoise was to very lightly sprinkle Agrobs Testudo Baby onto her usual lettuce, which we wetted first. Although designed for baby tortoises, this is a finely ground mix of several grass and herb species, so is suitable for all stages of growth. At first, she was refusing to eat and eat only lettuce not sprinkled with it. It took a few months of doing this, starting with only a pinch or two, before we were able to increase the amount, then added weeds, leaves and flowers and discovered she got to like other things. We then gradually added (a pinch or two to start off with) DRY flowers/leaves/herbs onto her wetted greens and by the end she was eating most things.
With some tortoises it just takes time, patience and perseverance. We have developed a few very palatable products suitable for fussy eaters (Baby Bliss, Sicilian Paradise and Palermo Herbs among other products). Adding a pinch or two of, say, Baby Bliss or Palermo herbs or Testudo Baby or Super Greens to wetted lettuce and carrying this on for a week or more, can have positive effects. Once your tortoise is accepting this small amount, increase it and vary the dried foods you are offering. Do the same with favourite weeds and, eventually, he/she will change and start eating a healthier diet.
The most important thing is to provide as varied diet as possible including both fresh and dried foods to ensure the tortoise food is as nutritious as possible over the winter.
You can find more information on individual products mentioned in this Blog in our Online Store. Hever Tortoise World is a CERTIFIED ORGANIC Online HEALTH FOOD STORE FOR TORTOISES & OTHER HERBIVOROUS REPTILES. We offer a large range of Natural & Organic Dry Foods, Fresh Edible Flowers, Weeds, Leaves & Live Plants grown Organically by us! Certified Organic by OF&G, the UK Organic Certification Body.
There are a number of videos on our Facebook Profile showing how dry foods can be added to your tortoise’s diet. We hope you find them helpful.
HEVER TORTOISE WORLD – AN ONLINE HERBIVOROUS REPTILE HEALTH FOOD STORE
At Hever Tortoise World we are particularly passionate about Tortoise Nutrition and feeding our tortoises healthy, natural, and varied diet, which is vital to their health. Having grown flowers, herbs and plants for our own tortoises, most of whom have been rescued or rehomed, and seeing an amazing transformation in their health and wellbeing, we wanted to share these healthy foods with every tortoise owner.
Utilising the horticultural knowledge that our Co-founder and Director Natasha, a former Qualified Exotics Veterinary Nurse, has gained during years of her Horticultural studies, her practical experience at the RHS Garden Wisley as well as her Master’s Degree in Horticulture/Crop Production Technology, we have come up with an exciting range of Natural Dried Health foods for Herbivorous Reptiles. Depending on the season we also have Fresh Edible Flowers, Leaves and Herbs in our Store.
Our Herbivorous Reptiles’ Health foods are Dried Edible Botanicals and Grasses, many of them being Organic, derived from nature and they do not contain any additives which are often found in commercially manufactured products. Plant leaves, flowers and stems naturally contain high fibre and important nutrients that tortoises and other herbivorous reptiles need for their healthy growth and development, such as naturally occurring amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, prebiotics and antioxidant compounds. We do not include any other ingredients to our foods.
We carefully source our products from ethical suppliers with the highest quality standards. They are free from GMO organisms, Non-irradiated and they do not contain preservatives. Whenever possible, we also source our ingredients from Certified Organic Producers. Growers and farmers who produce plants using Organic methods are Certified by a number of Organisations including The Soil Association, Organic Farmers & Growers as well as others. Organic standards prohibit the use of Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients as well as the routine use of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers), in order to promote biodiversity and nourish soils the natural way.
So, by purchasing from us, not only do you help to improve the health of your own herbivorous reptiles by feeding them healthy natural foods, but you also support our family business and our suppliers, many of whom chose to grow their crops Organically, promoting local biodiversity and reducing the use of harmful chemicals.
Our Range includes Dried Edible Flowers, Dried Leaves, Dried Leaf & Herb Products (aerial parts of the plants including stems, leaves and flowers), Dried Certified Organic and Dried Mixed Products (flowers, leaves and herbs) and Small Sample Pack Products for different species. The leaves/stems have been finely cut to allow for easier feeding and preparation. What’s more, by feeding the whole plant and not just the leaves we can provide a wider range of nutrients to our animals. Depending on the Season, we may also have Fresh Edible Flowers, Leaves and Herbs available.
Our products come in various sizes starting at just 10g. Small packs are great when you are introducing a particular plant/flower and want to see if your tortoises/herbivorous reptiles like it before you purchase a larger pack. Please, remember that most animals are creatures of habit and will often refuse any new food. But with time, patience and careful introduction of the new item, most animals will eventually accept it. Some eat new foods straight away (either dry or moistened), others may take a week or several weeks to accept a new plant or flower.
In addition, we stock the whole Agrobs Pre Alpin Testudo range of Tortoise Dried foods from Testudo Original, Testudo Herbs, Testudo Fibre and Testudo Baby, all in different sizes, to suit various tortoise ages and species.
You can purchase all these Products from the Store. Visit our Store for more information.
