Russian Tortoise
Agrionemys horsfieldii
Central Asian steppe tortoise. Strict herbivore — no animal protein. Requires low humidity (30–50%), hot basking spot (95–105 °F), high-fiber diet. Brumates deeply October–March depending on climate.
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Safe to feed(11)
Hibiscus Flowers
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Treat / enrichment — a few flowers 1–2 times per week.
Rose Petals
Rosa sp.
Occasional treat. Pesticide-free only.
Opuntia Cactus Pads
Opuntia ficus-indica
Offer 2–3 times per week. An excellent dietary anchor alongside leafy weeds.
Broadleaf Plantain
Plantago major
Staple — use freely in rotation with dandelion.
Ribwort Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Staple — rotate freely with broadleaf plantain and dandelion.
Endive
Cichorium endivia
Staple — include freely. Available from most grocery stores when wild plants are scarce.
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Offer 2–3 times per week as part of salad mix.
Clover
Trifolium sp.
Offer freely as part of a varied wild-plant mix. Not the sole food.
Mulberry Leaves
Morus sp.
Offer occasionally — up to twice per week.
Grape Leaves
Vitis vinifera
Offer occasionally. Leaves only — not the fruit.
Dandelion Greens
Taraxacum officinale
Staple — offer freely as part of the daily salad mix.
Feed with caution(8)
Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Occasional — no more than once per week, small quantity. Do not use as a staple green.
Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Very rarely — once per month maximum, small amounts. Not recommended as a regular food.
Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Occasional only — once per week maximum, in small quantities mixed with low-oxalate greens.
Turnip Greens
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
Once per week or less, small quantity. Rotate with non-goitrogenic greens.
Bok Choy
Brassica rapa var. chinensis
Occasional — once per week maximum, small amount.
Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Once per week maximum, small florets. Not a staple.
Strawberries
Fragaria × ananassa
Very occasional treat — one or two small pieces, once or twice per month.
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Very rare treat — a small piece once per month, if at all. Not a substitute for a water dish.