In this article we talk about if your tortoise can eat clover
Tortoises pretty much each any fruits and veg
Well, not any but those that are safe for them
Now the question is – Can tortoises Eat Clover?
Yes! Tortoises can eat clover and it’s actually healthy too
I’ll tell you why
A weed called clover is full of nitrates and other nutrients that support the health of tortoises.
Clover is a healthy supplement to a balanced diet as long as you feed it sparingly.
You shouldn’t feed it to them continuously
It should be as a treat
We talk more about this in the article
Sound interesting?
Great!
Let’s get started!
Does clover benefit tortoises?
Feeding tortoises a variety of greens helps them thrive.
This is because they cover a lot of ground and graze on dozens, even hundreds, of different plants in the wild.
Tortoises love eating lettuce leaves, so try feeding them some lettuce once in a while.
They also love carrots, so give them those too.
If you see any signs of illness, however, call your vet immediately.
The majority of tortoise species found in the Mediterranean region are those that are most likely to encounter clover.
These five well-known tortoises are the Hermann, Spur-thighed, Marginated, Egyptian, and Russian tortoises.
Therefore, if you have one of them, you should offer it some clover and observe how they respond to it.
Given that it is secure and offers some decent nutrition, you should give your tortoises some clover even if they belong to a species that may not find it in their natural habitat.
Are Clover Flowers Eaten by Tortoises?
The white bloom of the clover plant, however, is completely safe to feed your tortoise.
Sometimes you need to be cautious when dealing with a plant’s flowering portion.
Note: You can feed your tortoise any clover plant; simply snip or remove the pieces you need, place them in their habitat, and see their reaction.
What you should feed your tortoise?
Tortoises thrive on a diet rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
They require high quality food because they cannot digest their own waste.
Try to mimic what your tortoise eats in the wild as closely as possible.
This is not too hard because tortoises tend to eat leaves, grasses, and other vegetation.
Tortoises require a variety of vitamins and minerals to thrive, and commercial diets often include many of those essential ingredients.
You should regularly use a combination of commercial pallets, small pieces of fresh plants, and, when available, little fresh pieces of fruits and veggies that add some variety.
Knowing what species you have and what they would have eaten in the wild will help you choose the finest foods for your tortoise.
There are two types of tortoises: those who live in Mediterranean regions with a lot of plants, weeds, flowers, etc., and those that would have access to more fresh food in damper conditions.
The following are a few of the typical tortoise species that are frequently maintained as pets and require a lot of plants in their diets:
- African Sulcata
- Hermann’s tortoise
- Egyptian tortoise
- Horsfield’s (Russian) tortoise
- Indian Star tortoise
- Leopard tortoise
The following tortoises benefit from fruits in captivity and would consume some fruits in the wild:
- Yellow-Footed tortoise
- Red-Footed tortoise
- Elongated tortoises
The best recommendation I can give you if you have a species that isn’t on our list is to look at what they would consume in the wild.
Tortoise-Friendly Fruits
Fruits that are safe for tortoises are numerous.
Just be aware that some fruits spoil quickly and have significant sugar content.
The majority of the fruits I fed my tortoise throughout the years and have been able to confirm are safe for tortoises include:
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Apple
- Blueberries
- Pear
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Banana
- Figs
- Papaya
Tortoise Food Plants
Tortoise love plants, leafy greens, foliage.
These include some of the safest plants and flowers:
- Forget-me-nots
- MulberryChicory
- Chickweed
- Clover
- Arugula
- Cat’s ears
- Hibiscus
- Dandelions
- Plantain
- Dock leaves
- Knotweed
- Aloe vera (Can tortoises eat aloe vera?)
- Brambles (remove thorns!)
- Mustard leaves
- Evening primrose
Leaves can often become damaged by rainwater entering into them.
This is why they are usually kept dry inside tents.
However, if you have a large area where you plan to store your boat, consider using dock leaves instead.
They provide excellent insulation against moisture and wind damage.
You’ll still need to secure them well so they don’t blow away when there is any breeze.
Food Vegetables that tortoise can eat
Tortoises love many types of vegetables, but here are some favorites:
- Broccoli
- Pumpkin
- Cucumber
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Corn
- Celery
- Cauliflower
- Parsnip
- Squashes
- Kale
- Radish – (Can tortoises eat radishes?)
Note: Typically, vegetables, leafy greens, and other plant material make up 80% of a tortoise’s diet.
The majority of naturally occurring and widely accessible plants and foods are safe for tortoises to consume, however there are a few things you should be aware of before letting your tortoise out to graze.
Some of the foods that are prohibited because they could be hazardous or damaging in some other way include the following:
Foods, Fruits, and Veggies to avoid
- Citrus fruits
- Parts of nightshade plants
- Rhubarb
- Bread
- Chili Peppers
- Avocado
- Yogurt
- Beans
Things You Should Never Plant Or Give To Your Tortoise
- 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
Other Related Questions
Clover: A Food Source for Desert Tortoises?
Given that desert tortoises are indigenous to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwest United States and northwest Mexico, it is extremely improbable that they would encounter clover in their natural habitat.
Despite this, eating clover is completely harmless for desert tortoises; they just might not want it.
Clover: Is It Eaten by Horsefield Tortoises?
Clover can be consumed by Russian or horsefield tortoises.
Since both this plant and wild clover are common in Europe, numerous Horsefield torts are given access to it.
Can Tortoises Eat Any Other Weeds?
If you want to get rid of weeds in your garden, there is a long list of weeds that tortoises can eat.
Tortoises love eating many types of plants, which makes them perfect for gardening.
They also provide a lot of entertainment watching them dig through dirt searching for tasty treats.
Common weeds including hawkbit, mallow, wild garlic, mustard, nettles, cat’s ear, chickweed, and hawksbeard are known to be beneficial for tortoises.
Wrapping Up
As long as it’s consumed in moderation and as part of a healthy diet, tortoises can safely consume clover plants.
It’s great to learn what your tortoise would eat in the wild, as well as what they like and what you offer.
Good luck, and I hope your tort enjoys some clover!
