Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods – The Big 7

• Ernie


• 24 Feb 2016

Let me first say, when it comes to top Redfoot Tortoise foods, yours should be getting a 60% fruit, 35% greens, and 5% animal protein diet. Conventional wisdom for their diet seems to be 90% greens and 10% fruit.

Like most convention wisdom, it’s wrong and based on what I call “shopping mall science”, but that’s a discussion for another day.

That being said, all 7 have excellent Calcium to Phosphorus ratios and no to low oxalates (oxalic acid).

So without further ado, here are . . . . .

The Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number one.

1) Papaya

It’s inherent to Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, and Bolivia, all areas with native Redfoot Tortoise populations. This is a food item they would encounter in their natural environment.

Very high in beta carotene, the precursor to Vitamin A, a critical vitamin for Tortoises with its important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction.

Papaya has significant levels of both carotenoids and polyphenols which are important for your Redfoot tortoise’s health.

They have a 2:1 Calcium to Phosphorus ratio, the ideal for any tortoise food.

Lastly, no oxalates at all. 🙂

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number two.

2) Mango

The Mango serves as a back-up for the Papaya, since this fruit is native to South Asia and not South America.

If papayas are not available in your area, you can substitute with mangoes, which in many parts of the country are cheaper than papayas.

Again, these are high in beta-carotene, lutein, and polyphenols; like quercetin, kaempferol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, catechins and tannins.

Another one with no oxalates.

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number three.

3) Figs

Another excellent Redfoot food due to its excellent (3:1) Calcium to Phosphorus ratio.

Figs are also high in Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, and Vitamin K.

Make sure you feed them only fresh figs, not dried.

Fresh figs have lower sugar content and retain all of the vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

No oxalates.

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number four.

4) Pineapple

Not a fruit native to Central America or South America (although they were introduced by the Dutch in the 1600’s and grow in Surinam on the northeast coast of South America), but one with an excellent calcium to phosphorus ratio, 2:1.

Costa Rica in Central America is the world’s largest producer of Pineapple, so maybe they are a native plant for Redfoot’s.

Also high in Manganese and Vitamin C.

Another one with no oxalates.

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number five.

5) Turnip Greens

The single best green (in my opinion) you can feed any tortoise.

Excellent calcium to phosphorus ratio, 3:1, low oxalate content, high fiber, high in beta carotene, Folate, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. Also, high in manganese.

Easy to find in all parts of the country in almost any grocery store and as such can be the foundational green of any tortoises diet.

Are also very easy grow in most parts of the country and you can eat the turnip and save the greens for your Redfoot!

 

 

 

 

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number six.

6) Dandelion Greens

Boy, is there a weed anywhere in the United States more common than the dandelion?

They are everywhere and almost year round in some parts of the country.

Here in Texas they start showing up in late January.

Anyway, another great green (and flower!) for any tortoise you can get free right from your yard!

Excellent calcium to phosphorus ratio, 2:1 and high in Vitamins A and C, with a good fiber content.

One caveat, don’t make it the only green you feed your tortoise because they can cause kidney and renal related issues on occasion.

Another one with no oxalates.

Top Redfoot Tortoise Foods number seven.

7) Hibiscus leaves and flowers

A flowering plant native to subtropical and tropical areas of the world – so a somewhat native food item for Redfoot Tortoises.

Both the leaves and flowers are excellent food items for any tortoise species because of their high levels of calcium, Vitamin C and Iron.

My Redfoots, Russian’s and Greek’s all devour the leaves and flowers, so I’m confident yours will too.

A good level of fiber in the leaves is a plus as well.

No oxalates.

There you have it, the top Redfoot Tortoise foods. Make these seven the foundational components of your Redfoot’s diet and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy, active tortoise to enjoy for many decades.

For videos on my Redfoot’s (adults and hatchlings) regarding diet, pens, and general Redfoot “stuff” check out my YouTube Channel – Redfoot Tortoise Guy