Can Tortoises Eat Bananas?

While they might start off small, tortoises can grow into big, robust pets. This means that one of their favourite things to do is chomp on food regularly. So what about bananas? Can tortoises eat bananas and live happily like humans do?

The answer is yes, but only certain breeds can stomach fruits. We’ll explain more in our next section so that you can better understand which breeds can and why others cannot.

While a tortoise is a type of reptile that makes a great pet, you should always do your research when it comes to diets. In this piece, we’ll look more closely into bananas, and why they might not be the best snack to give little Shelly or Shelldon.

Can all tortoises eat bananas?

No, not all tortoises can eat bananas. While they are all mainly herbivorous creatures, different breeds have evolved around the world, giving them access to widely varied diets.

For some tortoises, such as those found in tropical climates with access to fruits, a banana every now and then may not do them much harm. This includes the red-footed and yellow-footed tortoise.

For the tortoises only used to a leafy diet, however, fruits are just no good. Leopard and sulcata tortoises, for example, originate from desert climates where fruit is not in abundance. This means they cannot digest high levels of sugar as well as other breeds, meaning bananas should be avoided.

Even if you do own a breed of tortoise that can handle fruits, just be sure not to give them bananas too often – or too much of it – since it is still a food type high in potassium and sugar.

This comes down to the age and size of your tortoise, but remember to feed them in moderation – see also our list of alternative fruits that might be more suitable for fruit-loving tortoise breeds.

Can horsefield tortoises eat bananas?

Horsefield tortoises – sometimes known as the Russian tortoise – are one of the more popular breeds found in the UK. They’re often captive-bred when bought as pets, ensuring they are free from diseases they would usually pick up in the wild.

Horsefield tortoises should not be fed bananas – or banana skins for that matter – since they are technically part of the previously mentioned group that prefers to eat leaves and stems.

Banana leaves are a slightly different type of vegetation, though you’re unlikely to have access to these in the same way you do for a bunch of actual bananas in a supermarket.

What happens if I feed my tortoise banana?

Feeding a tortoise, or any pet for that matter, too many sugary foods is a general risk to their health. However, there is more to this than just sugar content. Bananas are not high in the kinds of vitamins needed to promote a healthy diet.

Tortoises especially need plenty of calcium, and while bananas have some calcium, it’s far outweighed by the phosphorus levels. A lack of calcium in a tortoise’s diet can lead to metabolic bone disease, which can lead to some serious unwanted conditions, including the risk of death in extreme cases.

Beak rot is also a risk for some tortoises since the claggy banana substance can get stuck to their mouths, developing into a larger issue for the sake of a snack.

What can I feed my tortoise?

With all of the above in mind, it’s important to note that your tortoise should have a varied diet to help them get the vitamins and minerals required to stay healthy. While a good amount of certain leafy plants will contribute to this, you can also consider some of the following as low-sugar alternative fruits to feed a tortoise:

Strawberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Grapes
Melon

Remember, these should still be given in moderation, but the lower the sugar level, the better it is for your tortoise’s digestion. For many tortoises, it’s a staple diet of grass, leaves and stems, making it easy to round out their diet properly.

What should I do if I have fed banana to my tortoise?

Firstly, if you’ve fed your tortoise banana, don’t panic. In most cases, it’s simply about awareness, so you may be able to adjust your shelled friend’s diet accordingly to ensure you boost their calcium level and lower their phosphorus levels.

If you suspect your tortoise has already developed some of the issues we’ve mentioned, such as metabolic bone disease or beak rot, then you should seek immediate professional veterinary assistance.