Can tortoises eat parsley?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 17, 2026
Good foods include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers. The bulk of the vegetation should be leafy greens. The diet should also include fibrous plants like grasses and weeds.
Can I feed my tortoise parsley?
Parsley also contains high levels of oxalates, which interfere with the absorption of calcium and could potentially cause kidney damage, so although it is not a poisonous plant, and there is nothing to worry about if your tortoise has a nibble, you should avoid feeding it.
Can desert tortoise eat parsley?
Dark greens rich in minerals and vitamins such as collard, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, cilantro and parsley can be offered as a short-term alternative or as a supplement to grasses.
Can sulcata tortoises have parsley?
Greens and vegetables:
Greens to offer include: collard greens, kale, mustard, turnip and dandelion greens. Limit greens that are high in oxalates, such as: parsley, spinach, rhubarb, beet greens and collard greens. Vegetables should be about 10-15% of the diet.
What leaves are poisonous to tortoises?
And some plants that are poisonous to your tortoise:
Lupins, Daffodils, Hydrangea, Lily of the valley, Foxglove, Mistletoe, Rhododendron, Narcissus, Rhubarb, Hellebores, Crocus, Bleeding heart, Ragwort, Azalea, Vinca, Hypericum, Peony, Lobelia, Aconite, Tobacco plant & Euphorbia's.
23 related questions foundWhat food kills tortoise?
Some love bell peppers, cauliflower, squash, and even sweet potato, but these are all treats and should be given in small quantities. Apples, grapes, melons, and strawberries need to be lower than 20% of your tort's diet due to high sugar content.
Is Mint poisonous to tortoises?
These are fine to plant in the tortoise enclosure and will do no harm if nibbled, although some tortoises will be put off by the strong aroma.
Can a marginated tortoise eat parsley?
A Marginated tortoise's diet consists of vegetation. Good foods include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers.
Can Greek tortoises eat parsley?
Greek tortoises are herbivores and do best with a diet that's high in fiber and low in protein. A variety of dark, leafy greens and other vegetables should be the majority of your tortoise's diet: collard greens, endive, fresh parsley, dandelion greens, zucchini, broccoli, and shredded carrots.
Can Redfoot tortoise eat parsley?
Utilize as wide a variety as possible. Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, watercress, broccoli, escarole, Swiss chard, parsley, kale, spinach, endive, romaine, bell peppers, carrots, peas, zucchini, pumpkin, parsnips, cooked sweet potatoes, and squash are all excellent choices.
Can tortoise eat curly parsley?
Diet & Water
A Hermann's tortoise's diet consists of vegetation. Good foods include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers. The bulk of the vegetation should be leafy greens.
Can tortoises eat arugula?
Yes, tortoises can eat arugula. In fact, it has many essential nutrients and vitamins that are essential for your tortoise's diet.
Is cucumber OK for tortoises?
Cucumber can be offered to help with hydration, or prescribed medication can be hidden within it and offered to the tortoise as a tasty treat. The leaves and flowers of the Cucumber plant may be fed in small amounts to all species. Tortoises easily become addicted to store-bought diets so avoid long term use.
Can tortoise eat iceberg lettuce?
Compared to other lettuces, iceberg lettuce has the least nutritional value. however, its high water content makes it a good vegetable to feed to tortoises for the purpose of hydration, especially during summer.
Is kale good for tortoises?
Tortoises like a variety of plant-based foods. Produce: Depending on the species of your tortoise, about 80% of your pet tortoise's daily diet should be fresh vegetables like kale, dandelions, mustard and collard greens. For fun, toss in a little green or yellow bell pepper, sweet potato, squash or cauliflower.
Can tortoises eat peas?
Peas, like other legumes, are not good for tortoises. They are very high in protein and contain high levels of phytic acid.
Can tortoises eat courgette?
The flowers of the Courgette plant are fine to feed for the short time they are in season, but we don't recommend feeding the leaves or the fruit in any quantity and the fruit should only be fed to species of tortoises that are naturally fruit eaters.
Can tortoises eat asparagus?
Just a little every now and again as a treat will do no harm, but Asparagus is a known diuretic and it also has a poor Calcium to Phosphorous ratio, so we do not advise feeding large amounts. Do not feed the berries as they are toxic.
Can tortoises eat carrot peelings?
Tortoises can eat raw carrots roots and tops. However, tortoises should have carrots tops sparingly due to high levels of protein, and potassium. Additionally, carrot tops have oxalic acid that can interfere with calcium absorption and cause kidney and bladder stones if carrot tops are fed excessively.
Can tortoise eat herbs?
Herbs aren't only safe for tortoises but also rich in nutrients. However, some tortoises will avoid feeding on herbs with a strong scent. Growing herbs in your tortoise's enclosure ensure your pet has something to nibble on during the day.
What can a marginated tortoise eat?
The free-ranging marginated tortoise is herbivorous, consuming primarily grasses, flowers, and some fruits. The majority of the captive diet should consist of greens, grasses, and flowers, some vegetables and small amounts of fruit.
Can a tortoise eat spinach?
So although Spinach is not toxic as such, and small amounts are unlikely to cause a tortoise any great damage, given the potential it has to limit calcium intake and cause internal irritation, we do not recommend that people feed it to their tortoises.
Can tortoise eat tomato leaves?
Fruit-eating tortoises can eat ripe tomatoes sparingly. Mediterranean and Grazing tortoises should be fed tomatoes sparingly or none at all. Tortoises should not eat unripe tomatoes, leaves, or tomatoes' vines since they are toxic.
Can tortoises eat oregano?
Oregano is safe to feed as part of a varied diet. Many tortoise do not eat this due to its scent which makes it a good plant for cover with in an enclosure.
Can tortoises have blueberries?
Unless your tortoise is one of the fruit-eating species, the berries of this shrub should not be fed. The leaves of Blueberry are said to contain tannins and have some diuretic properties, so although a small amount in the diet would do no harm we don't recommend feeding the leaves in any quantity.