Jacqui's Captive Bred Tortoises

 POISONOUS PLANTS

Keepers often worry about tortoises eating poisonous plants. In reality, the risk is small as tortoises will naturally avoid them. However, occasional cases of poisoning, even death, have been recorded through accidental ingestion of some garden plants, and it is therefore best to exclude these from tortoise habitats, or at the very least ensure they are not grown in close proximity to edible plants and weeds. Another thing to take into consideration is that plants straight from the nursery or garden centre may have been treated with chemicals, and should therefore not be fed to tortoises until after few months of natural weathering.

As a guide, common plants to be avoided include: Daffodils and Narcissi, Hellebores, Hypericum-(often called Rose of Sharon, not to be confused with the Hibiscus variety Rose of Sharon which is quite edible), Hydrangea, Convallaria (lily of the valley), Euphorbias, Digitalis (foxglove), Monkshood (Aconitum) Nicotiana (tobacco plant), Rhododendrons & Azaleas, Ragwort (senico), Crocus, Dicentra (bleeding heart), Lupin (Lupinus), Vinca (periwinkle), Paeony (paeonia), Rhubarb, Misletoe and Lobelia. In general plants which grow from bulbs, tubers & corms should be excluded as many, although not all, are potentially toxic. Conifers which produce needles or pine cones should also be avoided.

However, if you see your tort nibbling a few leaves of, for example, sweet peas or impatiens (busy lizzies), don't panic. Many plants which are often listed as toxic are, it would appear, safe when taken in small amounts as part of a varied diet.

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