Jack

Question
I was wondering what I should feed my yellow footed tortoise on a regular basis. We have been feeding him strawberries every couple of days and some lettuce but I am not sure if that is what I am supposed to be feeding him, it seems like it could be too much sugar. I also was told that they are supposed to eat some types of meat. I just wanted some direction please.

Answer
Well... here is what I do with my Red-foots.

First, I break foods into 4 groups- greens, other vegetables, fruits, and proteins. In each group, I rank the individual items as 1- good, 2- OK occasionally, and 3- avoid.

Over the course of a week, I aim for about 15% proteins, and the rest pretty balanced between greens and fruits, with some vegetables mixed in for variety and micro-nutrients. Offer a portion about the size of the tortoise's head daily for the first couple years, then start skipping days as it gets older.

Food options:
Greens
1: Dandelion, escarole or endive lettuce, collard or mustard greens, hibiscus
2: Spinach, most other greens
3: Too much cabbage or kale, parsely

Vegetables
1: Cactus pads (opuntia or opales), flowers (cactus, hibiscus, etc.), mushrooms, shredded carrot, yellow squash
2: Most things that are not 3's
3: Corn, beans, grains, hot peppers, soybeans/tofu

Fruits
1: Strawberries, any melons, pineapple, mango, other tropical fruits besides banana
2: Banana, anything else others than 3's
3: Raspberry and blueberry

Proteins
1: Pinkie or fuzzy mice, worms, caterpillars, insects, cooked chicken/poultry/organ meats, hard-boiled egg
2: Oily fishes, lean red meat, well-soaked weight control cat kibble, good canned dog food, etc.
3: Tofu, mealworms, hamburger, canned cat food, any fatty or processed meats

Variety, wholesomeness, and not worrying about it too much are big keys.

Try http://www.tortoisetrust.org for other ideas.