Hermann tortoise food

[cheryldaly]

Hello,
I’ve recently brought home a baby hermann tortoise but I’m still confused on what their diet it. I see that weeds and flowers are their main source of food but then on the packet it says it should only be for treats. Am I doing it right?

[Nina]

Hi Cheryl and welcome to The Tortoise Table. Congratulations on getting your Hermann's tortoise! You are right in thinking that weeds and flowers (as long as they are the right weeds and flowers and are not toxic) are the right food. What sort of packet are you talking about -- is it a packet of commercial food? We don't recommend most commercial foods as they are too high in protein (tortoises need a high fibre/low protein diet), but there are some that are better than others.

You can look up any plant on our website database to see if it is good to feed to your tortoise https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/ Just put the name of the plant into the search box, and if the plant isn't in the database, write to us a contact@thetortoisetable.org.uk and we'll look it up for you. You can also make list for yourself of good plants to feed, using the filter tool on the website. Just go to this page and scroll down to the section called 'How to Use the Traffic Light Filters' https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... -database/

In case you don't already have one, here is a link to a care sheet for Hermann's tortoises https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 014New.pdf

The most important thing when you first get your tortoise is to ensure that he is in an open topped table and not a closed glass and wood vivarium (if you were sold a vivarium then let us know), and also that the temperature is right. Have a read of the care sheet and get back to us with any questions.

You will love having a little tortoise -- they have surprisingly big personalities!

Nina