How to feed a Hermann's tortoise?

Hermann's tortoises in captivity are often malnourished animals. This is due to a poor understanding of the principles that should be emphasized. In order to address nutritional concerns, it is essential to know how to properly feed your pet.

Our expertise in the pet industry, especially turtles, allows us to provide you with the most relevant answer on the nutrition of this Hermann's tortoise?

When feeding a tortoise, it is important to use the right foods for this animal. In addition, make sure to provide your Hermann's tortoise with the right foods and supplements for its survival and good health.

As you read on, you will discover:

• Types of food eaten by Hermann's tortoises
• The method for good nutrition
• Reasons to feed Hermann's tortoise
• Food supplements

Discover in this article, tips for feeding your Hermann's tortoise properly. As they often say, health is a priority. Follow us to learn more!

The different types of foods consumed for a proper diet

Hermann's tortoises do not live in captivity in terrariums. Therefore, for the survival and good health of this animal, it is essential to build an enclosure in a garden. Then, you must plant its food in this enclosure. The tortoise consumes several foods for its survival. Here are a few:

Plantain is one of the herbaceous plants richest in vitamins.

Common in France, plantains are herbaceous plants that exist in several varieties. In France, there are various varieties such as ribwort plantain, greater plantain, and common plantain.

Rich in fiber, minerals and several elements , plantain remains one of the foods appreciated by the Hermann's tortoise. Indeed, the adult female Hermann's tortoise feeds on ribwort plantain. It is a better diet for this animal because it promotes good tolerance to drought. It also promotes better protein utilization in the intestine.

Sow thistles the perfect food supplement

There are over 50 different species of sow thistle that Hermann's tortoises can eat. This plant is also a good food for Hermann 's tortoises. This plant requires moist soil to thrive.

The leaves of this plant are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C. This protein-rich plant spreads its roots and seeds to make feeding easier for the turtle.

Do you want your pet to thrive on this plant ? To do this, we recommend not pulling it up, but tending it daily to ensure it thrives the following spring.

Chicory less known for turtles but just as effective

Chicory is a perennial plant with a spindle-shaped, fairly long, brownish root. Hermann's tortoises feed on chicory in the wild. It is a plant whose leaves can reach 30 cm long. It offers several advantages such as increased protein content, a taproot, and very rapid growth.

The benefits of this plant are not exhaustive. This plant is easy to sow in spring or fall. If you want to increase its longevity, it is essential to allow your plant to flower.

Dandelion, the plant with underestimated virtues

Also called, the dandelion is a plant much appreciated by the Hermann's tortoise. However, this animal in its consumption only feeds on the leaves , the stems of this plant. The dandelion is a plant that becomes rare in the winter period. Notched, toothed, with aerial lobes, they have earned the dandelion the nickname of lion's tooth.

Rich in iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium, dandelion is a shrub that also contains fatty acids and antioxidants that can strengthen Hermann's tortoises . The foods that this animal consumes are not exhaustive. White clover , field bindweed and daisies are also foods that Hermann's tortoises can consume.

However, if the enclosure you build for your tortoise isn't rich in nutrients, opting for calcium-phosphorus foods is a good idea. These foods include curly endive, lamb's lettuce, endive, watercress, and arugula. You can plant other plants in the tortoise's enclosure. This list is not exhaustive.

The method for proper feeding of your Hermann's tortoise

Your Hermann's tortoise has found a good place and good food . However, the question you need to ask yourself is how to feed it? Feeding your tortoise is a good tip for maintaining its good health.

It also ensures the animal's comfort. Discover our best tips for feeding your pet properly. First, to properly feed your pet, it's essential to ensure it has its own enclosure.

After that, make sure to plant the necessary plants in the enclosure to satisfy your Hermann's tortoise, otherwise you risk starving it. Also provide your animal with water in case it becomes waterlogged . Shallow water bowls in the enclosure are essential.

Hydration of Hermann's tortoises

Because turtles swim in dry weather to keep hydrated . These animals rehydrate through absorption at the cloaca. The secret to properly feeding your adult Hermann's tortoise when in captivity is to give it a raw minced meatball as small as a cherry.

On the other hand, some Hermann's tortoises pounce on them, while others ignore this supply. You can also offer a relationship to juvenile tortoises with the same frequency. Tortoises are capable of consuming plants considered toxic. Through well-exposed lawns, they provide the bulk of their diet.

To properly feed your Hermann's tortoise, it's also important to diversify its diet as much as possible. Also, offer them a variety of plants. This helps ensure a sufficient intake of minerals and vitamins.

Why feeding Hermann's tortoises properly is essential

For the long-term longevity of your Hermann's tortoises, we recommend that you get closer to their lifestyle. During their journeys in the wild, they will encounter weeds . The Hermann's tortoise's shell needs a lot of calcium for its growth.

The better your pet eats, the richer the food, the more your Hermann's tortoise will grow normally. If your Hermann's tortoise is kept outdoors, meaning it lives in the wild, it will thrive on what nature provides. However, if it is kept in captivity, it will become greedy and tempted.

Thus, the owner will be forced to provide the latter with the necessary food for its nutrition. Keep in mind that the majority of the Hermann's tortoise's food contains 90% of weeds from the Mediterranean region and the rest are exotic fruits.

Dietary supplements for Hermann's tortoises

In summary, Hermann's tortoises must be fed very specific foods. A diet rich in vitamins and trace elements is recommended for a perfect diet . This rare tortoise therefore requires a meticulous approach when choosing its diet. In this article, we've seen what elements allow it to have a healthy lifestyle. Feel free to visit our articles, which perfectly reflect the symbolism of this rare tortoise.