Turtles are herbivorous animals. That is why they are often served with lettuce leaves in this country. In their homeland they would look for spicier leaves. There, in the great outdoors, all sorts of healthy wild herbs are waiting for you. But there are a few here too.

Wild herbs are also healthy for turtles, such as daisies

Wild herbs for turtles

The turtles' diet includes many edible wild herbs that are also native to us. For example bear's garlic, nettle, broadleaf plantain, lungwort, daisy, cinquefoil, lady's mantle, common evening primrose, chicory, greater burdock, goosegrass, dandelion, milk thistle, yarrow, fireweed, buckhorn, pansy, deadnettle, chickweed, white clover and wild mallow .

Ideal collection time

Most wild herbs sprout again in spring. These fresh shoots are ideal food for turtles.

  • they are nutritious
  • have a lot of protein
  • are low in raw fibre

tips

Most of the wild herbs that turtles eat are also edible and healthy for us humans. You can therefore boldly grab and try them when collecting.

Also feed older plants

Young shoots are particularly tender, which is why many turtle owners only pick these for their animals. But that's not ideal. Also collect older plant parts, because they contain more fiber. Turtles need these as well as plenty of protein.

tips

Turtles also need a lot of calcium. Since many wild plants contain little of it, you should also make this substance available. In the fall, spread limestone or dolomite in the animals' outdoor enclosure.

Dried herbs as supplementary food

A portion of the freshly collected wild herbs can be given to the turtles immediately. In addition, it makes sense to dry wild herbs. At a later point in time they can be fed as supplementary food.

What else to consider?

Food plants for tortoises must be carefully selected:

  • they must not be fertilized
  • Watch out for poisonous wild plants
  • do not collect at the roadside
  • choose low-protein and low-calorie types
  • provide variety/feed different species

Search or grow?

Wild herbs grow everywhere and are free. However, the search may take time. That is why wild herbs can be sought out in your own garden or cultivated in a targeted manner. Sowing in pots on the balcony is also possible.

tips

Mixtures of wild herb seeds that are specially put together for the care of turtles are available on the market.

Category:

Herbs