what about squash and pumpkin leaves and flowersI asked google if cucumber leaves were edible. The answer :
I think I'd avoid them
what about squash and pumpkin leaves and flowersI asked google if cucumber leaves were edible. The answer :
I think I'd avoid them
Squashwhat about squash and pumpkin leaves and flowers
Squashes are the fruit of the Curcurbita family of plants and while not actually toxic to tortoises, we don't recommend feeding either the leaves or the fruit in any quantity, but the flowers are acceptable in moderation.
The flowers and leaves of the Pumpkin plant can be fed sparingly, but we don't recommend feeding the fruit unless your tortoise is a fruit-eating species.
All the squash leaves and flowers that I have heard of are good tortoise food. I've grown pumpkin, cucumber, italian squash, summer squash, gourds, crooked neck squash and a few others. I feed out the leaves and flowers, so I seldom see any of the "fruit".what about squash and pumpkin leaves and flowers
Practical information - if Tom's OK with it then so am IAll the squash leaves and flowers that I have heard of are good tortoise food. I've grown pumpkin, cucumber, italian squash, summer squash, gourds, crooked neck squash and a few others. I feed out the leaves and flowers, so I seldom see any of the "fruit".
So I can feed them but don't over do it!All the squash leaves and flowers that I have heard of are good tortoise food. I've grown pumpkin, cucumber, italian squash, summer squash, gourds, crooked neck squash and a few others. I feed out the leaves and flowers, so I seldom see any of the "fruit".
Does anyone have experience with RepCal Tortoise Food for leopards and or star tortoises? My local reptile store recommends it over the Mazuri diet and they seem to like it but just want to double check with the forum! Also, how often do you recommend feeding this kind of supplementary diet? I have only been giving it to my babies (Babcockii - 1yr old, Indian Star - 6mo) once to twice weekly but they don't want to go back to their regular diet afterwards.
I'd also like to give a shout out to Tom (the dog trainer) for his wonderful care and feeding sheets. So great!
And last question. I feed them mostly things around the yard from the "safe" foods list, since we don't treat our yard. How often should they get grocery foods?
Thanks everyone!
I don't like the RepCal food and don't use it. Mazuri is the best one I've found and I recommend it. Once or twice a week is good. You can also mix chopped greens in with it to encourage them to eat more good stuff.
You don't need grocery store foods at all if you are finding or growing enough other good stuff. I keep the store bought greens to a minimum.
a great place to buy mazuri is at a feed store that is where I got a 25 lb bag smallest I could get other than 50 lb bagThanks Tom! I'll order the Mazuri diet today! Do you have experience with Repashy Superveggie supplement? According to the reptile store nearby, it is an all natural calcium, vitamin and mineral supplement all in one. (So would replace RepCal, MinerAll and a vitamin supplement.)
In case you haven't used Repashy, then could you tell me how often you use the Minerall and what reptile vitamin supplement do you use once a week?
Thanks Tom! I'll order the Mazuri diet today! Do you have experience with Repashy Superveggie supplement? According to the reptile store nearby, it is an all natural calcium, vitamin and mineral supplement all in one. (So would replace RepCal, MinerAll and a vitamin supplement.)
In case you haven't used Repashy, then could you tell me how often you use the Minerall and what reptile vitamin supplement do you use once a week?
Thanks Tom! My 1 yr old Leopard is starting to chew on rocks, so I'll get the Minerall. Can I bother you one more time to ask how often you recommend adding it to his/her diet?I don't know the Repashy brand. Calcium interferes with the absorption of other minerals and trace elements. Zinc for example. I don't see how an all-in-one supplement can be effective. I'm no reptile nutritionist, chemist or scientific studier of this issue, but from what I've read and understand, that sort of all-in-one supplement looks good on paper and sounds good, but I don't see how it can work.
I like the Rep-Cal calcium supplement and the Herptivite reptile vitamin supplement.
I only use Mineral to stop rock or substrate eating. With the varied weedy, grassy diet that I feed, I really don't use much supplementation at all anymore, except occasional Mazuri.
Thanks Tom! My 1 yr old Leopard is starting to chew on rocks, so I'll get the Minerall. Can I bother you one more time to ask how often you recommend adding it to his/her diet?
The lighter color scutes seem to be disappearing and he is turning all dark is this normal or could it be a vitamin deficiency I attached a pictureIf you have a current rock eating problem, I'd use it 3 times a week for about a month. Then cut back to once or twice a week for maintenance. Don't use more than one supplement per day. Don't mix them in other words.
That looks like normal healthy growth to me.The lighter color scutes seem to be disappearing and he is turning all dark is this normal or could it be a vitamin deficiency I attached a picture
I was watching my tort outside and when I saw him do his business I noticed something in it and to my surprise a huge piece of white plastic like that from a bag was in the dung which means I need to watch him more closely to make sure he isn't eating things that aren't food eye opener for me
Any constructive criticism. I want Izzy to have the best and healthiest life possible.
I see a few things that I would do differently, but over all not a bad effort given the conflicting info out in the world for this species.
1. You already mentioned getting rid of the red bulb, and that is great, but in addition to the white basking bulb, you also need a heat source for night for this topical species. I like to run a CHE set on a thermostat. This will hold the temp above 80 at all times, day and night.
2. Open topped sweater boxes are the worst possible way to house a baby tortoise because there is no way to hold in heat and humidity with those low sides. You need a large closed chamber.
3. No sand. None at all. It is an impaction risk and a skin and eye irritant.
4. FIne grade orchid bark works best as a substrate for this species.
5. Babies should not spend more than an hour or two outside. My general rule of thumb is one hour of sunshine access per inch of tortoise.
6. The diet seems pretty good, but I would still try to add more variety. Instead of spring mix every time, use endive and escarole more. Add in lots of others too like collard, mustard and turnip greens, cilantro, carrot and celery tops, grape vine leaves, mulberry leaves hibiscus leaves, etc…
More info here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/