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Tortoises are huge creatures that need to eat a lot of food every day. With that said, it’s important to know which foods you should and shouldn’t feed your shelled companion, especially those that you already have at home. You probably clicked on this article because you want to know whether or not they can eat bananas, though. Tortoises are able to eat bananas, but there are some caveats and things you should know before you let them chomp down on these yellow delights.
Keep reading to learn all about feeding your tortoises bananas!
Know Your Tortoise Species
The first thing you need to consider before feeding your tortoise a banana is whether or not the species is even able to digest it. Some types of tortoises were not built to digest lots of sugars, including leopard and sulcata tortoises. Both are from the desert, which doesn’t normally bear this food. However, tropical tortoises such as yellow-footed or red-footed tortoises won’t be as likely to have problems.
Other Things to Note
When feeding your reptilian, be sure to give them bananas in moderation – they are high in sugar and potassium after all, which don’t affect humans in the same way as tortoises.
The amount of bananas you can give them varies depending on their size and age. You can even let them eat the peels or leaves, but always wash them off before giving them out, as they may have pesticides sprayed onto the surface.
You also should keep in mind that bananas don’t have a good source of calcium, which is one of the most important minerals for their shell growth. Make sure to find something that can supplement this in their diet. Additionally, beak rot is a concern due to the bananas
Alternative Fruits to Bananas
Here are some other considerations for fruits you can give your tortoise – many options have less sugar which is better for digestion.
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
- Melons
- Raspberries
- Grapes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Much Banana Can My Tortoise Have?
As one delicious snack, it’s best to only give them a small slice of banana. That may not seem like a lot, but it ensures that they don’t have too much sugar.
How Often Can I Feed My Tortoise a Slice of Banana?
You may give them more on occasion, but it’s best not to give it to them every day. Consider giving your tortoise a slice a couple of times per week, or even less than that. Beak rot may become an issue if you feed your critter bananas too often.
Conclusion
The key takeaway from our research is that certain species of tortoises can eat bananas, but only in small amounts. It’s a good thing that you checked to see the answer because some pet owners end up giving their pets something that could be harmful or even deadly. In the end, we hope this information helped your tortoise in regard to its nutritional needs!
Featured Image Credit: t_watanabe, Pixabay
