The Tortoise Table

I have a plant growing enthusiastically in my outside tortoise enclosure. My plant identification app has identified it as soft rush ( it certainly looks like some sort of rush). I didn’t plant it so it must have self seeded. It is not unattractive and provides my tortoise with shade and somewhere to hide.
Is it a problem and does it need to be removed?

Also on another note, regarding weeds and plants which self seed in the enclosure, how diligent should I be about removing them? Is it a case of, if in doubt, remove it? I remember once being told by someone, tortoises won’t eat anything that they should’ve but that does a bit risky here in the UK as it’s not their natural habitat.

I would appreciate your comments.
Many thanks,

Hi Quasi,

Good to hear from you, and I hope your tortoise is thriving. If your plant is Soft Rush, then our entry for it is included in this entry: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... t=451&c=11 It says not to feed, but that is based on the fact that some species of Rush are toxic to mammals, and we couldn't find evidence of whether they were toxic to tortoises, and so we have erred on the side of caution on that one. Actually I just realised that I have a Rush growing in my tortoises' enclosure, and one of them loves to burrow under it a little bit at the end of the day. I don't think that they have ever tried to eat it, but I was shocked that I hadn't noticed it, so I might (or might not) decide now to remove it -- lol, it's a case of 'do as I say and not as I do'!

Regarding general principles, I would definitely remove weeds that are known to be toxic, like Ragwort. Other weeds might we really good to eat (Sowthistle, Cat's Ear, Plantain, Bittercress, Chickweed, Dandelion, Hawksbeard, Deadnettle, Forget Me Not, etc. etc.). It is definitely not true that tortoises have some sort of innate instinct that warns them when a plant is not good to eat. You are right in saying that they are not living in their native country, and certainly we know of tortoises that have died from eating toxic plants (Foxgloves, Pieris, and others). Some plants might have a sort of natural defence mechanism -- like they might taste very bitter -- that would deter a tortoise, but you certainly can't rely on a tortoise knowing which plants are good and which aren't. I always wonder when people say that tortoise know which plants are safe and which aren't, where they get their evidence from.

It is true that tortoises can eat some plants that are toxic to mammals, because they've evolved in the wild to be able to compete with mammals in areas where food is scarce, but there are many plants that are toxic to mammals and reptiles, and I would always err on the side of caution just in case.

Nina

Hello Nina,
Thank you for your very prompt reply and yes, my tortoise Archie is doing keeping well.
I will err on the side of caution and dig up the rush.
I do look out for Ragwort and other plants I know are definitely toxic but perhaps need to keep a closer eye on what’s growing in his enclosure which I didn’t plant.
Thanks again.

Soft rush in your tortoise enclosure isn't a major concern unless your tortoise starts eating it, as it provides shade and shelter.