Ed,
I learned to steer clear of that battle years ago
I learned to steer clear of that battle years ago
-EJ said:yall do realize this is a moot point if you use Mazuri... sorry... couldn't resist.
Luvthemtorts said:Flukes are the most well known since they are of clinical importance to humans, however parasitic worms of various genus are more likely to be encountered here in the states.
I'm not suggesting the removal of snails from their diet but rather a routine fecal examination to control parasitic burdens should they be offered.
Jacqui said:chairman said:Jacqui, I find myself doing the same thing feeding-wise with my torts. I keep offering them new things just to see what happens. Hopefully one of these days they will start eating the mushrooms and maybe some more greens. I don't recall ever seeing creeping charlie on any approved feed lists, so I wouldn't have tried it. Given your success, and my constant search for greenery that my torts will eat, I'll give it a shot. And they will be getting hibiscus again in the spring... at the very least the plants look pretty in the enclosure! But on your snail note- I happen to know that at least some parts of the greater Jacksonville area (where Scooter is located) are just crawling with these tiny little garden snails. Including the shell, my hingebacks could probably fit a half dozen or so in their mouths at one time. Are those the snails that torts can eat? I always wanted to offer some, but I was concerned about the snail-to-shell ratio and whether it could cause impaction issues, or if the shell was just another vitamin/mineral source.
The people I have talked to have used all types of snails, including the small ones found in aquariums and wild in ponds. The larger snails would make the most sense, but I believe in trying what you have available. Some feed them whole and alive, while others smash the shells first. The shells would give a tiny tiny bit a calcium too.
I would also think of it like this, you have a lot of snails in your area it sounds like. If you place your Hingebacks into outside environments, those snails will be in there too. Trying them out inside in a more secure location to observe the tortoise reactions will give you a better idea of it they will eat them. Once they are loose in the outside enclosure, you loose a lot of your ability to monitor exactly what they are eating....especially with something so small.
Flukes seem to be the most common bad thing coming from snails.