An animal care expert has issued a vital warning to tortoise owners across the UK, urging them to move beyond a basic lettuce diet for their shelled companions.
The Danger of a Lettuce-Only Diet
Rosemary A Fletcher-Jones from New Milton, Hampshire, responded with concern after reading about a tortoise being fed lettuce in a Guardian column. With over 20 years of experience as a records keeper at a zoo, Fletcher-Jones has witnessed the severe consequences of poor tortoise nutrition firsthand.
She explained that many people mistakenly believe tortoises survive on lettuce alone. This often leads to serious health problems and can even cause death from malnutrition, as lettuce provides virtually no nutritional value for these reptiles.
What Should a Healthy Tortoise Really Eat?
Fletcher-Jones recommends offering pets a diverse selection of chopped vegetables and fruits to ensure proper nutrition. Suitable options include broccoli, spinach, carrots, courgettes, and apple – essentially whatever the tortoise will happily consume.
This advice mirrors their natural eating habits. In the wild, tortoises consume a wide variety of plants, including both leaves and flowers, which provides them with the balanced diet they need to thrive.
Learning from Your Tortoise's Natural Instincts
The expert offers a simple piece of advice for owners with garden access. If your tortoise wanders in your garden, watch what plants it likes to nibble on. This observation can provide valuable clues about their dietary preferences and needs.
Fletcher-Jones specifically mentioned that dandelions are often a particular favourite among tortoises, highlighting how common garden plants can contribute to a healthier, more natural diet.
Her comments stem from extensive experience working with a turtle and tortoise club and managing records for tortoises surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them, giving her unique insight into common care mistakes.
