Diet of a hermanns tortoise is very simple, and mostly free of charge. Like many tortoises, the hermanns are herbivores which means they do not eat meat as such. However, it is well known for many wild tortoises to have a feast on snails, small insects, slugs and similar creatures. This can be given in captivity, but is rarely done.

The hermanns tortoise in the wild would normally survive on wild flowers, plants and weeds, rarely coming across any fruit for miles and miles. A tortoise in the wild can go without food and water for a very long time, adn this includes during hibernation.

In captivity, a hermanns tortoise is fed weeds, plants, flowers and sometimes grocery store foods. Many pet stores that are not experianced in tortoises, or do not know anything about tortoises will recommend you feed your hermanns tortoise tomatoes, fruit, cucumber and many other things, however do not be fooled by this as that is a very bad diet and will make your tortoise very ill later on in life. Here is a long list of what is edible for a hermanns tortoise on a day-to-day bases.

1.Aloe Vera
2.Bamboo
3.Bedstraw (cleavers)
4.Bindweed
6.Roses (petals and leaves)
7.Bristly Ox Tongue
8.Buddleia
9.Cacti (some not all)
10.Calendula Marigold/Daisy marigold
11.Campanula
12.Carrot tops
13.Cats Ear
14.Clover
15.Cornflour
16.Cut Leaved Nettle
17.Dandelion
18.Evening Primrose
19.Forget Me Not
20.Gazania
21.Globe Thistle
22.Hawks Beard
23.Henbit Nettle
24.Hibiscus
25.Honeysuckle Flowers
26.Hostas
27.Knapweed
28.Lavatera
29.Lavender
30.Lemon Mint
31.Mallow
32.Milk Thistle
33.Mimulas
34.Nasturtium
35.Pansies
36.Plantains (all)
37.Pumpkin Flowers
38.Rape
39.Red Nettle
40.Ribwort Plantain
41.Sedum
42.Shepherds Purse
43.Slender Speedwell
44.Sow Thistle
45.Spotted Nettle
46.Stinging Nettle
47.Sunflower
48.Trefoils (all)
49.Verches
50.Violets
51.White Nettle
52.Wild Cabbage
53.Yarrow
54. Romain lettuce
55. Red & Green leaf lettuce
56. Cucumber (during summer only for extra water)
57. Dead nettle

The hole list above is most things that you can find outside in your garden, down a field or on waste-lands and so on. To find out their images please visit www.images.google.co.uk

During winter, when weeds and plants are not around so often, you have a choice of growing things indoors or feeding grocery store foods such as salad mixes, spring greens, and similar foods. However, this is not a full time diet, only during the cold months of the year.
Any questions you can email me at chelonesupport@hotmail.co.uk