Russian tortoises are herbivores, but not all herbivores eat all types of plants and plant materials. A Russian tortoise diet should include primarily broadleaf weeds, greens and some grasses. They need a high fiber, low protein and of course low sugar diet. However, vegetables fall in a treat category with flowers. Russian tortoises eat vegetables, but vegetables should not be a main part of a Russian tortoise diet.
If you’re going to give a Russian tortoise vegetables, keep it minimal. For baby Russian tortoises, you want to avoid vegetables as much as possible. For adult Russian tortoises, a vegetable slice once in a while will not hurt the tortoise.
Although vegetables can be a good source of vitamins and minerals, vegetables digest to sugar, which is why you want to keep veggies to a minimum.
Safe Vegetables for Russian Tortoises
Russian tortoises can eat vegetables. Make sure that if you give your tortoise a vegetable for a treat, stick with safe vegetables.
- Carrots (no tops)
- Globe Artichoke
- Mushrooms
- Peppers – Green, Red and Yellow
- Pumpkin (technically a fruit)
- Squash
- Sweet Potato
- Zucchini
Safe Lettuce for Russian Tortoises
While shopping for vegetable seeds or at your grocery store for food for your tortoise, you’ll find lettuce right next to the carrots and bell peppers. Here’s a quick glance at safe and moderate feed greens and lettuces for your Russian tortoise.
- Arugula
- Cress
- Dill
- Endive
- Frisee (Escarole)
- Grape Leaf Lettuce
- Green Oak Leaf
- Kale
- Lamb’s Lettuce
- Pak Choy (Bok Choy)
- Radicchio
- Red Leaf Lettuce
- Romaine Lettuce
- Turnip Greens
- Watercress
Vegetables that are NOT Safe for Tortoises
One bite isn’t fatal. but in order to keep your Russian tortoise healthy, you want to avoid giving your tortoise these vegetables. These are labeled as “do not feed” or “feed sparingly.”
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Bean Sprouts
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chili Pepper
- Chives
- Corn on the Cob
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Onion
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Potato
- Rhubarb
- Rutabaga
- Sweet peppers
- Tomato (technically a fruit)
