Can Sulcata Tortoises Eat Fruit | Pet Sulcata Tortoise

You may want to offer your Sulcata a few blueberries, a slice of mango or even a peach not an again. However sulata tortoises should not eat fruit.

There are plenty of tortoise species that do eat fruit, like the forest tortoise species (Red footed tortoises, yellow footed tortoises, Manouria tortoises and hingeback tortoises). However sulcata tortoises should not eat fruit. They require a high fiber diet, including grass, weeds and greens. Some vegetables are safe, however they should be kept minimal. But, when it comes to feeding fruit, you want to avoid feeding fruits to Sulcatas.

When Can I Offer My Sulcata Tortoise Fruit?

That said… A bite of fruit here and there will not kill your tortoise.

You can actually use fruit to disguise veterinarian-prescribed medication, much like you would hide your dog’s medicine in peanut butter.

You can feed your sulcata the greens associated with many fruits. For example, the tops of strawberries are a good green food for sulcatas.

Why Shouldn’t I Give My Sulcat tortoise Fruit?

There are a few top reasons why you don’t want to let your sulcata tortoise eat fruit.

Fruit is very sugary. In large amounts, it can cause severe digestive tract upset, like diarrhea.
Large amounts of fruit can actually encourage parasites, like flagellates, to grow and flourish in the digestive tract.
Fruits can even cause a pH imbalance in the gut.
Too much fruits can even cause kidney problems.

Safe Treats for Sulcata Tortoise

Instead of fruits, offer your tortoise flowers as a safe treat. There are plenty of flowers that sulcatas can eat.

California Poppy
Chamomile
Chrysanthemum
Day Lilies
English Daisy
Evening primrose
Geranium
Hibiscus
Hosta
Mallow flowers
Marigold
Pansy
Petunia
Roses
Violets
Welsh Poppy

You can even offer spineless cactus as a great treat.

Safe Fruits for Sulcatas

Sulcatas LOVE to eat fruits. They’re treats. It’s like grabbing a cookie from the pantry. However, too many fruits can cause stomach and intestinal problems, and if you want to offer a snack, there are better snacks, like flowers and cactus. But, it won’t kill your tortoise to eat a very little bit of fruit.