Feeding Indian star tortoise
Feeding your tortoise seems to be the most complex aspect of keeping them healthy and active.
Tortoise grab the food when they can because they really aren't sure when they might get the chance to eat again. Do not be fooled---tortoise will learn to recognize you and any food containers you have. They will quickly have you trained! (see daily routine)
Don't over-feed or under-feed anything; even if it is good for their diet. Not enough is dangerous and too much isn't much better.
Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes in captive care. Keep in mind that they are not always hungry...but they are always looking for a meal because it's how they survive in the wild. They don't know that you are going to feed them routinely, so keep a regular schedule and try not to veer from it.
As far as a diet goes, you want something high in calcium yet low in phosphorus. Stay away from fatty foods and those with a high carbohydrate and protein content. It is vital to your tortoise's health that you vary the diet. Don't rely on pelleted/prepared foods as a whole, instead, use them to augment a more natural diet. Indian star turtoise need to be offered a balance of wide range of veggies and plant.
They are much better off on a diet of long grasses (lawn clippings work GREAT!!) They will eat almost any vegetable but it is best to stick to grasses and greens only. They would not find many liquid filled plants in the wild so it is not recommended to feed squash or cucumber. Fruit may be offered on occasion but it is more of a monthly treat than a staple food. Prickly pear is one of the exceptions to this rule. If they eat a diet of high liquid vegetables it can be very harmful to their digestive system. Citrus fruits should never be offered.
Never feed your star tortoise and meat products! This is something that their stomachs have a very hard time digesting. They also do not need and fatty plants like beans. Star tortoises LOVE RED FOOD!!--They will go crazy for the tomatoes, strawberries, and even rose and other flower pedals as a treat!!
Primary foods: Grass, Dark Leafy Greens (e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales)
Occasional foods: Pears, Carrots, Apples (with skin), Peaches, Berries, Beans (with skin), Peas (with skin)
Never try to feed them: Very Juicy Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy, Broccoli, etc
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