Fescue Grass (Sheeps Fescue; Tall/Red/Blue/Creeping Red/Meadow Fescue)

• Common Name: Fescue Grass (Sheeps Fescue; Tall/Red/Blue/Creeping Red/Meadow Fescue)
• Latin Name: Festuca spp.
• Family Name: Poaceae/Gramineae

Fescue is fine for tortoises.  Some animals have problems with Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea), as it contains an endophyte fungus which is toxic to ruminants, causing photosensitivity, impaired milk production and possibly death in calves if it is fed as a staple diet.  As tortoises aren't ruminants this shouldn't affect them, and in the UK a variety of Tall Fescue called S170 is available, and this is endophyte free.

An added benefit of planting Fescue in your tortoise enclosure is that it can provide a shade area for your tortoise to hide in.