Are you thinking about feeding your tortoise Aloe Vera?
If you are, you may be wondering – Can tortoises eat aloe vera?
Tortoises love eating aloe vera.
Aloe vera, which is frequently referred to as a “miracle plant,” is actually a water-dense succulent plant that offers some respectable nutritional advantages and is helpful for keeping your tortoise hydrated
Is Aloe Vera good for tortoises?
Tortoises generally eat lots of green plants and veggies.
They require some key nutrients to stay healthy, and this is usually easily met by providing a wide variety of greens.
Aloe Vera contains many nutrients that are essential for maintaining healthy skin.
It provides vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, iodine, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, fluoride, and protein.
Aloe Vera is a powerful natural remedy that offers many benefits to our bodies.
As I’m sure you know, it’s often added to beauty products we use.
Tortoises love eating lettuce, kale, spinach, parsley, chard, arugula, cilantro, collards, endive, romaine, bok choi, dandelion greens, watercress, mustard greens, and many other leafy vegetables.
Aloe Vera has been used by humans for centuries due to its medicinal properties.
However, there have been reports of poisoning caused by eating parts of the plant.
Now you may be wondering whether or not aloe vera is poisonous to tortoises.
Wonder no more as this leads me to my next point
Is aloe vera poisonous to tortoises?
Tortoises cannot be harmed or poisoned by aloe vera.
It’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for diarrhea when giving your tortoise some for the first time.
Some tortoises simply don’t get along with particular vegetation.
Although it’s improbable in the case of aloe vera, just cross it off the list moving forward out of an abundance of caution if you believe it may have upset your tortoise’s stomach.
Why Calcium is important for tortoises
For tortoises, calcium is one of the most crucial nutrients.
This mineral is used to support their cellular health as well as the growth of their shell and bones.
Dandelions are one of many plants that contain calcium.
Because cuttlefish bones are an excellent source of calcium and don’t spoil as rapidly as plants, owners frequently place one in a tortoise’s enclosure.
Tortoises love vegetables but they don’t have much taste so try feeding them something sweet.
They prefer carrots, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, celery and cucumbers.
Tortoises love eating greens, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
They also appreciate a variety of treats, especially nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes.
Tortoises come in many shapes and sizes, and each type has its own unique characteristics. The primary factor is always the kind of tortoise you have, and there are a few minor variations between species that can be linked to their wild habitats.
Most people categorize tortoises into two main categories for ease of understanding: those that eat more fruit and those that eat mostly plant stuff.
Common tortoise species that predominantly consume leaves, stems, and other plant material include:
African Sulcata
Hermann’s tortoise
Horsfield’s (Russian) tortoise
Leopard tortoise
Indian Star tortoise
Common tortoise species that frequently consume more fruit in the wild:
Red-Footed tortoise
Yellow Footed tortoise
Elongated tortoises
This should serve as a reference for what foods you give your tortoise and how accepting they will be of plants, fruits, and veggies.
Plant care tips – Plants for Your Tortoise to Eat
In the wild, a tortoise’s diet consists largely of plants and flowers, so you should learn which ones are their favorites and provide plenty of them.
The best thing about feeding plants is that you can simply produce a ton of tasty plants at home, and Sam may even be found in your yard or nearby.
Tortoise owners often wonder what kinds of plants are safe for their pets.
Offering your hard-shelled companion any of the following plants should be safe for tortoises:
- Chicory
- Hibiscus
- Dandelions
- Plantain
- Chickweed
- Clover
- Aloe vera
- Brambles (remove thorns)
- Forget-me-nots
- Lavender
- Mustard leaves
- Evening primrose
- Dock leaves
Vegetables for Your Tortoise to Eat
Vegetables are excellent for tortoises since they include a wide variety of nutrients.
The following vegetables are suitable for tortoises:
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Bell peppers
- Peas – (Check out my article – Can tortoises eat peas?)
- Collard greens
- Iceberg lettuce
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Cauliflower
- Parsnip
Fruits for Your Tortoise to Eat
Fruits that are safe for tortoises are numerous.
Just be aware that some fruits spoil quickly and have significant sugar content.
Here are some fruits you can try feeding your tortoise
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Apple
- Blueberries
- Pear
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Banana
- Figs (Check out my article – Can tortoises eat figs?)
- Papaya
Keep fruit consumption low, despite how much your tortoise may enjoy it.
Fruit is essentially “junk food” for tortoises.
Is Aloe Vera Safe to Feed My Horsefield Tortoise?
Aloe vera can be given to your Horsefield (Russian) tortoise.
The diets of Horsefields are heavily plant-based.
If you can add some Aloe vera, you should.
They need a good range of greens.
Is there anything I can do about my tortoises not eating aloe vera?
If your tortoise refuses to consume Aloe vera or any other plans, don’t worry.
When it comes to eating, tortoises each have unique personalities and tastes.
Your tortoise will benefit greatly from regular feeding and maintenance.
The best thing you can do is to keep offering new foods to your tortoise and keep a list of what they do and don’t eat.
Tortoise food should consist mainly of insects and other small animals.
Toxic foods include those that contain lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, cyanide, and other heavy metals. They can cause serious harm to your tortoise.
Below you’ll find some of the most commonly found foods and plants that are believed to be potentially dangerous.
Foods, Fruits & Vegetables to avoid
- Citrus fruits
- Parts of nightshade plants
- Chili Peppers
- Avocado
- Yogurt
- Beans
- Rhubarb
- Bread
Plants to avoid
- Azalea
- Buttercups
- Tiger Lily
- Asparagus Fern
- Hydrangea
- Ivy/Poison Ivy
- Hyacinth
- Mistletoe
- Rhododendron
- Holly
- Morning glories
- Hemlock
- Bleeding Heart
- Yew
- Foxglove
- Parts of nightshade plants
Wrapping Up
Aloe vera is safe for tortoises to consume; there are no issues with them consuming this succulent plant.
It’s actually one of the better plants for them, so if you can, get some for your tortoise.
If you have a green thumb, you might even want to try growing your own aloe vera since it is one of the simpler plants to grow at home.
