Owning a tortoise is one of the most rewarding part of my life, I’ve been a tortoise dad for over 13 years and yet I’m still learning new things about their diet and nutrition that comes to surprise me. Feeding a tortoise is one of the most challenging aspects of owning one in my opinion, however it’s all worth it. I think keeping it simple and not over complicating things is the best way to do it, while avoding harmful foods which brings us to the topic of today’s article, sugar snap peas.
Can tortoises eat sugar snap peas? No tortoises can’t eat sugar snap peas, while they aren’t immediately toxic for tortoises they shouldn’t be included at all in their diet. Sugar snap peas are very high in protein which can cause kidney problems for reptiles. They also contain phytic acid which act as an anti-nutrient similar to oxalic acid as it can prevent tortoises from utilizing calcium.
In this article we are going to explain what makes sugar snap peas so bad, what foods are more suitable for tortoises and some other things you should know!
What Are Sugar Snap Peas?
A tasty vegetable that resembles a hybrid between snow peas and garden peas. Sugar Snap Peas are eaten whole and do not need to be shelled. The pod grows in size as the peas mature, giving it an uneven or lumpy appearance. Sugar snap peas have a sweet flavor and a crisp texture to them.
Why Are Sugar Snap Peas Bad For Tortoises?
The answer comes down to tortoises dietary requirements, they need a diet high in fiber and low in protein, unfortunately sugar snap peas are very high in protein.
Too High In Protein
Peas are a good source of protein, while it has it’s role in your tortoises body you need to limit how much protein they consume.
Too much protein can cause your tortoise to grow very quickly and put on weight at the same speed.
Protein intake should especially limited for Red and Yellow-footed tortoises it can lead to problems within their kidneys like kidney stones which are incredibly painful.
Phytic Acid
Peas are quite high in phytic acid, which is a substance that’s the main storage form of phosphorous. This means it acts similar to oxalic acid and binds to calcium within your tortoises body, basically inhibiting them from making good use of the well needed mineral.
If the calcium in your tortoises body isn’t there for them to use they will then start to remove it from their bones to replenish it, this can lead to a number of problems.
The most common is metabolic bone disease which is an imbalance in calcium/phosphorous in the body. MBD causes the skeletal structure to break down as well as weakening your tortoises shell.
If left untreated it will get progressively worse leading to tremors, weakness, paralysis and eventually an unpleasant death.
Beans, seeds, nuts and grains are all known to be high in phytic acid, so it’s worth noting it down to avoid feeding them.
Are All Peas Bad For Tortoises?
Sugar snap peas are just one type of pea there are numerous kinds like garden peas, snow peas and mangetout to name a few.
Unfortunately they are all in the same family and therefore all types of peas are a good source of protein and high in phytic acid making them unsuitable for tortoises. They aren’t considered toxic so a few won’t hurt your tort but it’s not advised to feed them over a long period of time.
What Other Foods Can Your Tortoise Eat?
We couldn’t just tell you snap peas were unsuitable to feed your tortoise without letting you leave with some alternatives that your reptile actually can eat!
Brussels sprouts – Like many green, brussels sprouts can be a healthy addition to your tortoises diet. Sprouts are full of nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin A, folate and manganese these nutrients work together in the body to bring benefits such as wound healing, immune system boosting, creating red blood cells and much more.
Rocket leaf – Rocket is a leaf that has a number of benefits for tortoises, however it has quite a strong smell to it that some tortoises might not find appealing. It’s full of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and cancer preventing antioxidants that make it suitable for your reptile to have.
Cucumber – This juicy fruit makes the list due to how versatile it is. Cucumber contains nutrients like vitamin C and fiber but it can also be used to hydrated your tortoise due to it being 96% water. I also use it when i want to sneakily give my tortoise one of his prescription medications.
Sugar Snap Peas For Tortoises – Summary
Sugar snap peas should play no role in your tortoises diet, if they have ate some in the past don’t worry there is likely no harm to be done. It’s when they feature too often in a tortoises diet will they start to negatively effect them. Snap peas are high in protein and contain phytic acid that make them unsuitable for tortoises to eat. A couple won’t harm them but they shouldn’t be a staple in their diet.
I hope after reading this post you’re more confident in what you can and can’t feed to your tortoise as their diet is extremely important so it should be looked after carefully.
