Can Russian Tortoises eat Banana?

Q: Can Russian Tortoises eat Banana?

Banana is rated toxic for Russian Tortoises. Tortoise Trust HIGH RISK: banana has severely negative Ca:P ratio (5:22mg, 0.23:1) and high sugar (12g/100g). Incompatible with the low-sugar, high-fiber diet required by desert tortoises.

Agrionemys horsfieldii · Musa acuminata

Toxic

Do not feed

The Tortoise Table

Tortoise Trust HIGH RISK: banana has severely negative Ca:P ratio (5:22mg, 0.23:1) and high sugar (12g/100g). Incompatible with the low-sugar, high-fiber diet required by desert tortoises.

Toxic

HerbivoreFruitLow oxalate

The short answer

Tortoise Trust HIGH RISK: banana has severely negative Ca:P ratio (5:22mg, 0.23:1) and high sugar (12g/100g). Incompatible with the low-sugar, high-fiber diet required by desert tortoises.

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw banana

5mg

Calcium

22mg

Phosphorus

0.2:1

Ca:P ratio

INVERTED

Low

Oxalate

1.1g

Protein

2.6g

Fiber

Backed by sources

The Tortoise TableThe Tortoise Table – Fruit & Vegetables

Specialist resourceTortoise Trust – Dietary Guidelines

Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026

Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

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