Herbs in a Torts diet

[clairestortoise]

Now obviously a tortoise would not find our everyday herb in the wild, but I would like to know, is it safe for them to eat? I have parsley, chives, garlic chives, basil, rosemary, thyme,sage, coriander,french tarragon. Are any of these safe? Thanks

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi Claire. I reckon tortoises won't eat any of those plants. Sage and thyme they definitely don't eat because I use those as decorative plants in the outdoors enclousre and they don't get eaten at all. Chives grow from a bulb and the rule of thumb with bulbs is that tortoises shouldn't eat anythng that grows from one.

I have seen some keepers say their torts eat parsley but mine don't eat it.

Herbs generally are too pungent and are not eaten by tortoises but it depends what we mean by herb I suppose.

Rosemary is one that is safe and most tortoises don't eat this at all either.

[SeeShell]

Only herb my torts show any interest in is parsely (although it's not first choice if anything else is offered!). I have lavendar in oudoor enclosures but they show no interest in that.

[gregnobes]

1 of mine eats abit of rosemary but he will only eat the flowers and if there is no leaves around them

[16 shells]

Some will come across probably Rosemary, thyme, sage, as they are wide spread wild plant's across the Med. As for eating not seen them eat mine, which are also in the outside enclosure.