Welcoming a baby sulcata tortoise into your home is an exciting adventure. However, it comes with its own set of challenges, and chief among them is making sure the little guy receives the right diet.
As a new tortoise parent, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the variety of food options and uncertain about what will best support your little one’s growth.
In this guide, you’ll find a baby sulcata tortoise food list, a list of stuff to avoid, and helpful tips for preparing meals every day for your pet.
Before You Get Started on the List…
Before we check the list, let’s first cover two important notes.
Don’t Let the Size Fool You
The sulcata (AKA the African spurred tortoise) might be the third largest species of tortoise in the world. However, it still starts as a mere hatchling.
These little tortoises are quite small, with a carapace length of just 1.5–2 inches. At this stage, their weight is less than one ounce (20–25 grams). They don’t stay this tiny long, though.
Those babies experience rapid growth during their first 5–10 years. By around 15 years of age, some sulcatas reach sexual maturity.
That said, the growth rates are notably variable. In fact, two tortoises of the same age can have very different sizes. For instance, you might have a 10-inch tortoise that is either 3 or 10 years old!
This variability makes it difficult to determine a tortoise’s age based on size and weight alone. Without documentation from a reputable breeder, accurately aging a sulcata tortoise is quite challenging.
So, you’ll have to eyeball it here and decide whether your pet is considered a baby or not.
Know the Species’ General Nutritional Needs
Sulcata tortoises, regardless of age, need a herbivorous diet that’s high in fiber, rich in calcium, and not so protein-dense.
For adults, this translates into a diet that largely consists of various grasses and hays. After all, these tortoises graze on a wide range of plants in their natural habitat.
In captivity, you should offer a variety of grasses and supplement their diet with greens (like turnip greens) and edible flowers. These plants provide essential nutrients and help mimic their natural grazing behavior.
5 Items to Add to Your Baby Sulcata Tortoise’s Diet
Now that you know the basic nutritional needs (high-fiber, low-protein diet), you’re ready to check out what these little guys should be munching on to thrive:
1. Grass Clippings
Grass is the foundation of the tortoise’s diet, and this holds true from the moment they hatch.
If you have access to a lawn, grab some scissors and trim a handful of green, pesticide-free grass. It’s a simple yet effective way to boost their diet with high fiber.
For those who prefer convenience, “Salad Style” packets—finely ground grass that you sprinkle over other foods—can be a great alternative.
You can also find live, organic wheatgrass kits, perfect for cutting fresh grass right at home. Growing grass in pots is generally a good option for those who don’t have access to an untreated lawn.
That said, if you don’t have enough space for a lawn, you might want to reconsider getting a baby sulcata. Remember, she’s not going to stay tiny forever!
2. Spring Mixes
If you’re hitting the grocery store, grab some spring mixes to add a delightful variety to your baby sulcata’s diet. These pre-packaged mixes typically include baby lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens.
While they can’t replace the bulk of the tortoise diet (which should be grass), they’re a tasty and nutritious supplement.
Just be warned; spring mixes spoil quickly, and you’ll want to find other uses for the greens before they go bad.
3. Moistened Pellets
Some pet parents like introducing pellets early. In some cases, a bit of water can help the process.
After all, soaking the pellets in warm water until they become soft can make them more palatable. Still, it may take time for your pet tortoise to warm up to them.
4. Cuttlebone
Cuttlebone is a decent source of calcium, which is vital for your sulcata’s shell development and overall health.
Even though your baby might not seem too excited about it at first, you want to keep introducing it. It’ll help her get the calcium she needs.
5. Miscellaneous Treats
To keep mealtime interesting, you can occasionally offer treats like mulberry leaves, clovers, and hawksbeard. Geraniums, pansies, petunias, honeysuckles, and dandelion flowers can also be used in moderation.
For one, the variety can keep your little tortoise interested. Plus, it helps create a well-rounded, nutritious diet that supports your baby’s rapid growth.
7 Things to Avoid Feeding to Your Baby Sulcata
While there are plenty of great options for feeding, there are also some foods that you should avoid (or at least use sparingly).
Here are some of those not-so-good items to watch out for:
1. Tough Hay
Adult sulcatas love hay, but for your baby tortoise, tough hay is a no-go. Their little jaws aren’t up to the task of munching on dry fibers just yet.
Until then, stick with smaller, more manageable options and make sure they always have fresh water available.
2. Too Much Fruit
Fruit can be a fun treat, but it’s high in water and sugar. So, it shouldn’t be a regular part of your sulcata’s diet.
A small slice of strawberry is fine as an occasional treat, but don’t overdo it. There’s way more nutritional stuff to give to a sulcata tortoise that’s still growing.
If you do choose to offer something like peaches, make sure to remove the pits first.
3. Hard Veggies
Hard, crunchy veggies like broccoli and carrots can be challenging for baby sulcatas. Instead, opt for softer, leafy greens, which are easier for them to chew and digest.
This tip can make mealtime less frustrating for your little tortoise.
4. Known Toxic Plants
Some plants can be downright dangerous for your pet tortoise.
For example, members of the nightshade family contain solanine, a toxin that can cause serious health problems. Think terrible diarrhea and possible neurological damage.
Others are just not a good match for your baby tortoise’s needs. Take alfalfa, for instance. It’s got too much protein.
That’s why it’s better to always check an exhaustive database before introducing plants willy-nilly.
5. Animal Protein Sources
Sulcata tortoises are strict herbivores and should never be fed animal-based proteins like insects, fish, or meat.
6. Other pet food
It might be tempting to feed your tortoise pet food meant for other animals. But you should resist the urge.
Dog or cat food is formulated with different dietary needs in mind and can harm your little tortoise.
Stick to foods specifically designed for sulcatas to keep them healthy. Or, you know, just resort to green leaves and grass clippings.
7. Your Dinner
We know your little pets are so cute, and you’ll want them around you at all times. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to share your dinner with them.
Cooked or prepared human foods aren’t suitable for them. These foods often contain unhealthy levels of sugar, salt, and fat, and the younger tortoises might be more sensitive.
5 Baby Tortoise Food Preparation Tips
Feeding your baby tortoise involves more than just choosing the right foods—it also includes how you prepare and present those foods.
Here are some handy tips to help your little sulcata tortoise get the most out of each meal:
1. To Cut or Not to Cut
There are different schools of thought about whether to cut the food.
Some tortoise keepers prefer chopping the food into small, manageable pieces—about half-inch squares—so their baby tortoise doesn’t have to work too hard to eat.
This approach can make mealtime easier and more enjoyable for them. Plus, it allows you to place more food in one spot, encouraging them to eat more throughout the day.
On the flip side, some believe it’s important for tortoises to practice foraging, chopping, and chewing. That’s why they don’t cut the food.
To balance the situation, make sure the pieces are small enough for your pets to handle comfortably but not so small that they miss out on the foraging experience.
2. Mind the Plate
To keep your baby from munching on anything that isn’t food, always serve their meals on a clean, flat surface like a tray or plate. If you feed younger, inexperienced tortoises directly from a gravel or dirt surface, they might accidentally ingest rocks or soil, which could cause problems.
Also, check their enclosure regularly to make sure it’s free from small pebbles or debris that could be accidentally ingested. A tidy, dedicated feeding area helps ensure they’re only consuming their meals and nothing else!
3. Pay Attention to Food Colors
It doesn’t hurt to add a splash of color to the diet.
Including a vividly colored food, like a bright yellow dandelion or deep red hibiscus flower, can make the meal visually appealing and might even encourage your tortoise to eat more.
Just be sure to keep any inedible, brightly colored objects away from their enclosure to avoid confusion and potential hazards.
4. Don’t Forget Meals
Unlike adult tortoises, who might skip a meal occasionally, baby sulcatas need a more consistent feeding schedule. Aim to feed your little tortoise at least once a day to support healthy growth and development.
Finding the perfect feeding schedule will require a bit of trial and error. But if you’re using commercial pellets, things should be easy. Just follow the package instructions for feeding amounts.
5. Be Patient
Don’t be discouraged if your pets seem hesitant at first or if they don’t eat everything you offer right away. Young sulcatas, like any babies, are still figuring out their preferences and developing their eating habits.
Stick with a consistent feeding schedule and offer a variety of foods to make sure they get the nutrients they need. As they grow and become more comfortable with their diet, you’ll find that they start eating more readily and showing enthusiasm for their meals.
Baby Sulcatas Need Water, Too
While it’s easy to focus on providing a well-balanced diet for your baby sulcata tortoise, it’s just as important to keep them hydrated.
Despite their desert origins, these tortoises need regular access to water to stay healthy. The misconception that these tortoises can thrive without water is simply not true!
In addition to providing drinking water, babies should be soaked regularly for 10–15 minutes in a shallow water dish. They’ll drink and poop in the water. Yes, we know this sounds disgusting, but that’s part of the whole pet-parent package—you take the icky with the cute!
So, once you notice they’ve defecated in the water, promptly change it and provide a quick rinse. You could also take a small, soft-bristled brush and help them clean their shells. Just do it gently.
Want to Learn More?
A well-balanced diet can keep your baby tortoise healthy and happy. And when we say “balanced,” we mean one that provides the right mix of grasses, leaves, and occasional treats while avoiding protein-rich items.
Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into the care routine than just a balanced diet. We’re talking elaborate enclosures, secure fencing, UVB lamps, temperature ranges, and thoughtful handling techniques.
As your tortoise grows, you’ll get more and more used to her needs and temperament.
In the meantime, you might want to check out an in-depth sulcata care guide. We’ve put together this guide to help you get the hang of it quickly.
But don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions about feeding your little tortoise. We’re always happy to chat about sulcatas (and other reptile babies)!
