Bonus content from the September 2009 REPTILES magazine article "Shining Star."
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Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) require a high-fiber diet rich in calcium. They graze on a variety of grasses and vegetation. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio should be 2-to-1. The following are good food choices.
Grasses: Bermuda, rye, alfalfa, bluegrass and fescue.
Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens and flowers, hibiscus leaves, grape leaves, escarole and mulberry tree leaves.
Vegetables: Opuntia cactus, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash, pumpkin, mushrooms, sweet potato, yellow squash and bell peppers.
Fruits: Approximately 5 percent of the diet may include fruits, such as tomatoes, apple, papaya, melon, mango and banana.
Prepackaged or commercial diets: Depending on the quality of the commercial diet, it may range from 0 to 80 percent of a tortoise’s overall diet.
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