Many Turtle and tortoise species can safely eat and enjoy asparagus. It’s rich in nutrition
Asparagus is the answer if you’re looking for low-calorie, high-nutrient food. The self-proclaimed asparagus capital of the world may be found in Oceana County in Michigan. In the health-conscious community, it’s a staple, but does it provide the same benefits for our reptilian friends? Does asparagus include any nutrients that turtles may ingest?
Asparagus was a staple in my TORTOISE and turtle’s diet for a long time since I felt it was nutritious. That was before the widespread use of the internet for research.
Until recently, however, this was not the case. It turns out that it isn’t as healthy for turtles as I had first believed it to be. Keep reading, and don’t stop! Everything you need to know about this subject is included inside the text I’ve written.
ALSO SEE: Can Tortoises Eat Pumpkin?
Can Turtles Eat Asparagus?
Asparagus is safe for turtles to eat in moderation on occasion. There are several vitamins and minerals included in this vegetable that turtles require. These include vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium. But at the same time, it includes goitrogenic chemicals that interfere with thyroid functioning.
Asparagus, for example, is a nutrient-rich food that many people assume is beneficial for their turtles, too.
Not to be forgotten, though, is that their digestive system is entirely distinct from ours in structure. In addition, their dietary needs are rather distinctive.
You should always do some research before feeding your pet something new, especially if you don’t know much about it.
Others that include goitrogenic chemicals include kale, collard greens, and cabbage.
Don’t freak out just yet! With proper portion control, any of these veggies can be safe and healthful for your pet turtle.
Can Turtles Eat Asparagus Berries?
Not at all. Asparagus berries should never be fed to turtles. Toxic chemicals found in these plants have been shown to trigger allergic responses in humans. It’s hard to conceive how much harm a turtle’s bodyweight might cause.
Studies have shown that it can cause vomiting and stomach aches.
Asparagus is usually sold in bundles of green spears, not individual spears. Asparagus is supposed to taste like this.
Some vivid red berries on the plant are only seen if you cultivate your asparagus. I know it’s tempting, but please don’t eat these and feed them to your turtle.
To my knowledge, there has never been researched done on the effects of asparagus berries on turtles. Because of the well-documented negative effects on people, cats, and other canine and feline species, I’m going to assume that these chemicals are also detrimental for turtles.
Can Turtles Eat Young Asparagus Shoots?
No, turtles should not be fed asparagus shoots that are still in their first year of growth. As with berries, they’re also known to contain hazardous chemicals.
Cooking is said to eliminate these toxins partially, so why risk falling through the cracks? I wouldn’t eat or feed them to my turtles.
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Asparagus
Asparagus is easy to portion because it comes in a bundle of spears. One medium-sized stalk can be chopped up or given whole.
It is possible that smaller turtles would devour a few leaves from the bulb, while larger turtles can eat the entire plant.
Due to the potential hazards of overfeeding, asparagus should be given no more than once a month at a time.
You probably already know that turtles are scavengers that will take advantage of anything that comes their way. Beg like a dog for food, and they even do it. You may feed them as much as you like.
It’s up to you to control your impulses.
Asparagus For Turtles: What Do You Do With It?
For my turtles, I make sure to boil the asparagus properly. To make it easier to eat, boiling vegetables don’t have teeth or spit. The reduction of goitrogenic substances is another benefit of boiling. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
When I’m giving asparagus to my turtle, I make sure she doesn’t eat any other goitrogenic vegetables like cabbage or broccoli.
Sorry if asparagus suddenly seems like a prohibited food after all the warnings I gave you about it.
As long as you don’t overdo it, asparagus can be a delicious addition to any meal.
Nutrition In 100 Grams Of Asparagus
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Water | 93.2 grams |
| Protein | 2.2 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 2.1 grams |
| Calcium | 24 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 52 milligrams |
| Vitamin C | 5.6 milligrams |
| Vitamin A | 756 IU |
| Vitamin K | 41.6 µg |
Is Asparagus Healthy For Turtles?
You can see in the table that asparagus provides turtles with certain nutrients. Vitamin A protects the lungs and eyes against infection, while vitamin C increases the body’s natural defenses. Bone and shell growth depends on minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
However, they are not without certain drawbacks. This is a good time to go over all you need to know to make the best decisions for your pet.
For example, retinol.
Turtles need Vitamin A to thrive. Asparagus, on the other hand, contains an abundance of it. Preventing ocular and respiratory infections is aided by the presence of this vitamin. The formation of healthy skin, mucous membranes, and sweat ducts are also aided by it.
However, just because asparagus is high in vitamin A doesn’t mean you should regularly feed it to your child. Other additional substances in it are antinutrients for turtles, as well.
Here’s a link to a Nature Zone vitamin supplement (CHECK ON AMAZON) that I use for my turtles’ health.
As instructed, I added a few drops to their meal.
Taking Vitamin C since turtles spend much of their time in the water makes them more susceptible to diseases. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the wounds get worse when they’re constantly in touch with water.
Vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant that boosts health and prevents most illnesses, is abundant in asparagus.
Asparagus, too, is high in vitamin K, an important ingredient for healthy blood clotting and strong bones. One of the most prevalent signs of a vitamin K deficiency is bleeding from the lips.
Aside from providing these three essential nutrients, asparagus is also rich in minerals and folates beneficial to turtles.
But this does not mean that there are no flaws. Next, we’ll talk about the drawbacks.
Three Dangers of Overfeeding Turtles Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutritious and tasty treat for turtles when consumed in little amounts. Because of this, overconsumption of this vegetable might promote dehydration and impede thyroid function.
Effects of diuretics
Salt and sodium may be flushed out of the body by eating asparagus, which has diuretic properties. As a result, dehydration in turtles is a common side effect of overfeeding asparagus.
Here are a few symptoms when a turtle is dehydrated:
- Eyes that are closed or filled with tears
- Loss of appetite
- Skin that is flaky and dry.
- Feces that isn’t wet.
- Urine that is thick and white
Gout-Inducing Substances
Goitrogens, a chemical that has been shown to interfere with the thyroid function of turtles, may be found in asparagus. A turtle’s ability to absorb iodine is hindered by goitrogen. As a result, the thyroid-stimulating hormone is overproduced (TSH).
Boiling kills goitrogens by a wide margin, but you should be aware that a modest concentration of this molecule might be detrimental to a turtle, given its weight.
The wrong calcium: Ratio of Phosphorus
The optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio for turtles is 2:1. In contrast, as you can see from the table, asparagus is quite the opposite. Calcium and phosphorus content per 100 grams of asparagus is 24 and 52, respectively.
Calcium absorption can be disrupted by excessive phosphorus in turtles, resulting in calcium phosphates, which are difficult to dissolve.
Can Box Turtles Eat Asparagus?
That’s a given. Box turtles can eat asparagus in small amounts on occasion. Other vegetables with goitrogenic components should not be fed when asparagus is being given.
Don’t force it on your box turtle if it doesn’t enjoy the flavor. There are several alternatives.
Can Russian tortoises eat asparagus?
Tortoises may safely eat asparagus in tiny amounts. Even while asparagus should not be your tortoise’s only vegetable, it deserves its place.
Can Red-Footed Tortoises Eat Asparagus?
Tortoises may safely consume asparagus in moderation.
Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Asparagus?
Asparagus is a favorite food for most tortoise species. It’s best to serve it in small portions and moderation, though. When consumed in excess, asparagus can have a diuretic effect and cause dehydration, even though it can contribute certain essential nutrients and diversity to the diet.
Can Redfoot Tortoises Eat Asparagus?
The majority of a person’s diet should consist of dark, leafy greens. Vegetables that are red, yellow, and orange can also be incorporated. On the lower end of the food spectrum, you’ll find cactus and different squash, sprouts, cooked sweet potatoes, and okra and cucumber, as well as asparagus and mushrooms.
Can leopard tortoises eat asparagus?
Tortoises may safely consume asparagus in moderation.
Can Tortoises eat Raw Asparagus?
Yes, turtles may eat a small quantity of asparagus from time to time. Vitamin C, A, and calcium are all present in this veggie; good news for turtles.
It is not known whether sulcata tortoises are capable of eating asparagus.
Asparagus is safe for turtles to eat in moderation on occasion. Vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium are all included in this vegetable, which offers a good source of these minerals for turtles.
Can Sulcata Tortoises eat Asparagus?
The majority of a person’s diet should consist of dark, leafy greens. Vegetables that are yellow, red, or orange might also be included. On the lower end of the food spectrum, you’ll find cactus and different squash, sprouts, and cooked sweet potatoes, as well as okra and cucumber as well as asparagus and mushrooms.
How Much Asparagus Can Tortoises Eat?
Your tortoise’s size determines how much asparagus they can consume. A little turtle will eat only a few of the bulb’s leaves. Unsliced asparagus stalks may be handled pretty successfully by larger tortoises.
If you’re looking to indulge yourself, asparagus is a great option, but it’s not something you’ll want to eat every day.
There are several advantages to eating asparagus in the form of “spears.” Portion management is made much simpler as a result of this. The average adult tortoise can get by on one spear a week, on average.
As I’ve repeatedly emphasized in this essay, you must do your research on the kind of turtle you’re caring for before attempting to feed it asparagus.
Vegetables and leafy greens are common diets for tortoises; however, the proportions in which they are consumed may vary. For most tortoise species, acquiring all of the nutrients they need from their diets is difficult, if not impossible. Make sure you’re providing the proper vitamin when doing so.
Tortoise-Friendly Vegetables You Might Not Know About
Tortoises are naturally drawn to a wide range of plant and vegetable debris. Green leafy vegetables are a favorite food of theirs.
As many as 200 different types of plants are projected to be consumed by tortoises in the wild each year, apart from the Leopard and Sulcata species, mostly grass eaters.
The majority of their diet won’t consist of just one type of plant.
It’s nearly hard for us to reproduce this in captivity, but we should do our best to offer as much access to veggies and plant stuff as feasible.
Dandelions, collard greens, and green beans are all favorites of tortoises. Peas, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes can be fed in little amounts.
In addition to the fundamental and popular veggies listed above, tortoises also eat grass and wildflowers like a dandelion when they are out foraging.
Conclusion
You may rest easy knowing that asparagus is a safe food for your pet tortoise because it is so readily available.
If you’re feeding your tortoise a lot of asparagus (head or stalk), make sure you’re not feeding it too much at once or over a long period.
Tortoises come in a wide variety of species, but only a few are commonly kept as pets. You must study your specific tortoise to determine what to feed it and how much to give it. They will flourish as a result of this.
Learn about hazardous and deadly foods, as some of these are seemingly innocent, and you may offer them to your tortoise mistakenly thinking they are safe.
Depending on how toxic they are, poisonous plants can harm or even kill your tortoise. If you have any reason to believe your tortoise has eaten something he shouldn’t have, take him to the doctor right away.
Fortunately, we now know that asparagus does not belong to this category of foods.