Plants

Plants are important as they add enrichment, ensure a good humidity level and are great for snacking purposes.

It is important to choose plants that are safe and nutritious. There are 3 types of plants/foods. Safe, Moderates & Sparingly. This is explained in the link below.

All plants contain harmful properties to some degree, and it is that degree which determines the level of toxicity if eaten.

It is probably fine to feed your tortoise a plant that contains oxalic acid, being that it is only a small portion of their diet. However, if you offer 2 or 3 different plants at the same time, and they all contain moderate to high levels of oxalic acid, there is a risk that your tortoise will develop dietary related health issues.

We’ve all heard of “the exception to the rule” or “my tortoise has been eating this or that and he is fine” That may be true for them now, but when there is the tiniest chance that your beloved animal can become seriously ill if these foods are fed, why risk it?

Some of these properties include:

Alkaloids: this compound contains nitrogen that is naturally found in many plants. Some of the most common alkaloids are morphine, quinine, strychnine, nicotine and cocaine. There are some alkaloids that are harmless but many are very dangerous. Alkaloids often have a bitter taste which helps protect the plant from being eaten, but hungry animals will eat anything.

Cyanogenic substances: produce cyanide

Glycoside: attacks the cardiac, nervous system and thyroids

Protoanemonin: paralysis

Saponins: Irritant

Grayanotoxins: Motor functions

Oxalic acid: Binds calcium

Oxalates: Tiny sharp crystals/irritants, kidney stones

Raphides: needle shaped crystals: irritant

Tannins: inhibit the absorption of iron, zinc and calcium.

The following are plant ID apps. The first tells you if they are safe to consume, the others can help you identify them.

The Tortoise Table: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/index.php#.YQnUAo5KhPZ

PictureThis: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/picturethis-plant-identifier/id1252497129

PlantSnap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/plantsnap-identify-plants/id1451054346