As with all animals, tortoises will not thrive if they are not fed correctly. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a major problem among tortoise owners who do not pay proper attention to the foods they offer their animals. In general, the diet of a tortoise should consist of mostly greens (and grasses if possible) and some vegetables. About ten percent of the diet may be made up of fruit. It is a myth that tortoises need lots of animal protein; in fact, excess protein may cause renal problems, liver problems, and abnormal shell growth. A good tortoise diet is actually low in protein, fats, and oils. It should instead be high in fiber content as well as in the vitamins and minerals provided in fruits and vegetables, in addition to having sufficient levels of trace elements. Many grasses (such as Bermuda grass) are ideal.

A proper diet may be achieved if a large variety of foods are fed. Dark green leafy vegetables are of special importance, since many are high in calcium. Collard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, and parsley are all good choices. Cabbage and plants in the cabbage family should be fed sparingly. Other foods that should be fed infrequently and sparingly are vegetables high in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid occurs naturally in a large number of plants. Oxalic acid may combine with calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, or potassium to form less soluble salts known as oxalates, which can not be utilized by the body. Regular consumption of large amounts of foods high in oxalic acid may result in nutrient deficiencies, especially calcium. Examples of food high in oxalic acid are spinach, rhubarb, banana, and mustard greens. A grazing material such as grasses should be present, as tortoises will spend a significant amount of time grazing. Carrots are another very nutritious vegetable that tortoises frequently enjoy. You can offer the green leafy top in addition to the root portion of the vegetable. Tortoises may also be offered cactus pads without spines; these plants may be easy to grow and maintain in drier tortoise environments. Spineless prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) is one example of such a cactus, and tortoises can eat the fruits of this plant as well. The small portion of the tortoise's diet consisting of fruit can be met with almost any seasonal fruit. Tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, figs, and melons are good choices. Commercially formulated tortoise foods can make a nice treat for your tortoise from time to time.

One thing to keep in consideration is that, if fed one food consistently, tortoises can actually become "addicted" to it and will choose it over other foods offered to them. In such cases, this food should be eliminated from the diet in order to encourage the animal to eat a more balanced and nutritious diet. Feeding a wide variety of foods is best.

Although feeding an inappropriate diet can result in vitamin or mineral deficiencies, vitamins and minerals in excess can also cause serious health problems in tortoises. Such conditions may be brought on by overzealous use of vitamin or mineral supplements when they are not really necessary. Excess protein, for example, can prevent your tortoise from properly using calcium, and excess Vitamin A can cause eye problems in tortoises, just as a deficiency of Vitamin A can. Another deficiency that may be seen in some tortoises is an iodine deficiency, although usually tortoises can derive enough iodine from the water they are provided with. Overfeeding of kale, cabbage, or sprouts can also deplete iodine in a tortoise's body. If you suspect your tortoise may not be getting enough iodine, it may be a good idea to feed your tortoise kelp or seaweed tablets at regular intervals. Calcium is an especially important component of a tortoise's diet and can be obtained best by feeding tortoises a varied and balanced diet. However, some people may choose to supplement their animals diet with calcium by sprinkling a calcium powder over their tortoises' foods. If you choose to use a calcium supplement, be sure it is phosphorus free. Phosphorus can usually be obtained in sufficient quantities from normal items of the animal's diet. Another factor in calcium deficiencies may be inappropriate lighting; if your tortoise does not have access to full spectrum ultraviolet light, it cannot process calcium regardless of whether or not it is consuming the mineral.

One rather controversial aspect of a tortoise's diet is the practice of coprophagy, or feces eating. This is common especially in hatchling and young tortoises who need to acquire specific bacteria in order to establish a bacterial colony in their own digestive system. This bacteria helps them break down some of the foods that they eat. Some tortoises may eat the feces of other animals. Although in some species this may actually be an important source of vitamins, it may also be a very good way for disease to spread among tortoises. If your animals do have a tendency to eat feces, you should be sure that other animals like dogs or cats do not defecate in the tortoise's enclosure and that all the tortoises maintained in the enclosure are in good health in addition to being free of internal parasites.

Part Two - Housing	Part Four - Pro-Active Care
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