Can Tortoises Eat Potatoes?

I live in Ireland so I grew up surrounded by potatoes for almost every meal therefore I’ve became accustomed to them. For tortoises a variety of weeds, flowers and around 80% vegetables is what an optimal diet looks like however it will vary slightly from species to species. What about potatoes however are they safe for tortoises to eat? Let’s find out.

Can tortoises eat potatoes? Yes tortoises can eat potatoes although they shouldn’t be given too regularly to them. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family which means they contain a poisonous alkaloid called solanine which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and brain disorders in some cases. There are more nutritious foods out there recommended for tortoises however potatoes now and again won’t harm them.

In this article we are going to cover the possible benefits of potatoes, the downsides and some other things we thought you should know!

Are Potatoes Safe For Tortoises?

Potatoes overall are a safe food for tortoises but this doesn’t mean you should feed it to them. In truth potatoes don’t offer much to tortoises as they could benefit from other more nutrient friendly foods.

They contain a poisonous alkaloid called solanine which is typically more prominent when the potatoes are green in color. What this means is they haven’t been stored properly or have been exposed to light so you should definitely not feed green potatoes to your tortoise.

However in small amounts potatoes (that aren’t green) are a source of cancer preventing antioxidants along with being a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Nutritional Information Of Potatoes

100 grams of cooked potatoes contains the following nutrients :

Calories87
Protein1.9g
Carbohydrates20.1g
Fat0.1g
Fiber0.8g
Sugar0.9g

Potassium

Potassium contain potassium which is a mineral needed for maintain a regular fluid balance within the body. It’s also important for cardiovascular health as it can reduce blood pressure by removing excess sodium from the body. It also regulates the heartbeat further improving heart health.

Tortoises also need potassium to help their muscles to contract.

Vitamin C

Your tortoise can synthesize it’s own vitamin C through the kidneys so this means there isn’t a need to have it supplemented through their diet.

Tortoises need vitamin C as it acts to help them absorb calcium more efficiently. This is important as calcium is a mineral they need to protect their shell and skeletal structure.

Vitamin C is also needed for the immune system to fight off disease, healing wounds and the repair of all body tissues.

Vitamin B6

Sometimes called pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is also found in potatoes. It’s important for mood regulation as it helps to create the feel good neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine and serotonin.

These two receptors improve overall mood reducing low mood and depression.

Rich In Antioxidants

Antioxidants are plant compounds that work in the body to reduce oxidative stress. This is caused by unstable atoms called free radicals which if they build up enough in the body can cause chronic illnesses.

Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals to slow down the harm caused as oxidative stress is a part of life and can’t be stopped completely.

Downsides Of Feeding Potatoes To Your Tortoise

Nightshade Food

Potatoes are part of the nightshade family including tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. These foods should be avoided or fed very sparingly to tortoises as they contain poisonous alkaloids such as solanine and tomatine.

The main alkaloid found in potatoes is called solanine which is a poison that’s mainly present when the potato is a green color.

Solanine is a defense mechanism the plant has to prevent other organisms from eating it, as it packs an extremely unappealing bitter taste.

Too much of this alkaloid can cause problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even more serious problems like neurological disorders.

Anti-nutrients

Potatoes also contain anti-nutrients that can hinder your tortoises ability to absorb vital nutrients – especially calcium.

This can lead to them developing a calcium deficiency which is serious for tortoises as they require calcium for shell and bone health.

Without enough calcium tortoises are open to bone and shell problems which can lead to issues such as metabolic bone disease which isn’t pleasant for them.

Can Tortoises Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are different to regular potatoes as they come from a different plant family ans as they don’t contain the same poisonous alkaloids that regular potatoes do they are a healthier option.

Both are full of nutrients but sweet potatoes contains an impressive amount of vitamin A, where normal potatoes don’t contain any.

However sweet potatoes aren’t perfect as the leaves are considered toxic for tortoises so you should avoid feeding them this part of the vegetable.

Can Tortoises Eat Potato Chips?

No tortoises can’t eat potato chips they are low in quality nutrients that reptiles need and also contain a high amount of salt and fats that are extremely harmful to tortoises.

Tortoises need a diet that replicates food they would come across in the wild and they certainly wouldn’t find any potato chips out there.

Potatoes For Tortoises – Summary

To finish off, potatoes are safe overall for tortoises as they won’t harm your reptile if they are given infrequently. This is because they contain solanine which is a poisonous alkaloid found in nightshade foods like potatoes, eggplant and peppers. A much healthier alternative is sweet potatoes, they are similar except sweet potatoes don’t contain solanine that will make your tort ill.

I hope this post has made you more knowledgeable about certain dangers in your tortoises diet. You should always research something you’re not sure of just to be safe!