Calcium Question

MPappagallo

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Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
368
Location (City and/or State)
Myrtle Beach, SC
I have a question about using ReptiCal.

I have two 5-month-old sulcatas. They are on a diet of grass and misc weeds from our yard, cactus, hibiscus leaves, blackberry leaves and a bit of chopped zucchini or similar veggie. I also occasionally add a bti of chicory, endive or misc greens from the grocery store. In addition, they get a few soaked pellets of Mazuri a couple times a week, although so far, they have not touched it.

They each have a cuttlebone in their enclosures, but I have only seen one of them actually eating it.

They are in indoor enclosures (approx 3x7 each) and I bring them outside into my yard in a wire pet fence when the weather is nice....approx 3-4 days a week.

My question is this.....I have been using ReptiCal on their food twice a week...but I have noticed that on the days when I use it, both of them seem to eat less than half their normal amount of food for the day.

Should I be worried? Is it possible they just don't like the taste...or are they trying to tell me they don't need additional calcium? Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance!
 

xMario

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Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Messages
410
Location (City and/or State)
Germany
I have a question about using ReptiCal.

I have two 5-month-old sulcatas. They are on a diet of grass and misc weeds from our yard, cactus, hibiscus leaves, blackberry leaves and a bit of chopped zucchini or similar veggie. I also occasionally add a bti of chicory, endive or misc greens from the grocery store. In addition, they get a few soaked pellets of Mazuri a couple times a week, although so far, they have not touched it.

They each have a cuttlebone in their enclosures, but I have only seen one of them actually eating it.

They are in indoor enclosures (approx 3x7 each) and I bring them outside into my yard in a wire pet fence when the weather is nice....approx 3-4 days a week.

My question is this.....I have been using ReptiCal on their food twice a week...but I have noticed that on the days when I use it, both of them seem to eat less than half their normal amount of food for the day.

Should I be worried? Is it possible they just don't like the taste...or are they trying to tell me they don't need additional calcium? Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance!
I never used a supplementation besides cuttlebone for my sulcata she gets everything she needs from her variet diet and the cuttlebone if she wants it
My sully is going strong no issues in health or shell growth

I would cut down on reptical
 

MPappagallo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
368
Location (City and/or State)
Myrtle Beach, SC
I never used a supplementation besides cuttlebone for my sulcata she gets everything she needs from her variet diet and the cuttlebone if she wants it
My sully is going strong no issues in health or shell growth

I would cut down on reptical
Thanks so much! That is good to know. I will stop giving it to them for a bit and keep a close eye on them to make sure they don't have any negative effects.
 

Ray--Opo

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5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Messages
7,017
Location (City and/or State)
Palm Bay Fl
I have a question about using ReptiCal.

I have two 5-month-old sulcatas. They are on a diet of grass and misc weeds from our yard, cactus, hibiscus leaves, blackberry leaves and a bit of chopped zucchini or similar veggie. I also occasionally add a bti of chicory, endive or misc greens from the grocery store. In addition, they get a few soaked pellets of Mazuri a couple times a week, although so far, they have not touched it.

They each have a cuttlebone in their enclosures, but I have only seen one of them actually eating it.

They are in indoor enclosures (approx 3x7 each) and I bring them outside into my yard in a wire pet fence when the weather is nice....approx 3-4 days a week.

My question is this.....I have been using ReptiCal on their food twice a week...but I have noticed that on the days when I use it, both of them seem to eat less than half their normal amount of food for the day.

Should I be worried? Is it possible they just don't like the taste...or are they trying to tell me they don't need additional calcium? Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance!
Is your Mazuri the 5M21 type. That seems to be the one torts enjoy. The mazuri that has LS on the label the torts don't to take to it as well. Try hiding it with some shredded up zucchini until they get used to it.
 

MPappagallo

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Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
368
Location (City and/or State)
Myrtle Beach, SC
Is your Mazuri the 5M21 type. That seems to be the one torts enjoy. The mazuri that has LS on the label the torts don't to take to it as well. Try hiding it with some shredded up zucchini until they get used to it.
Mine says LS on the package. It's the only kind my local pet shop carries. I will try the zucchini trick...and after this bag is gone, I will order the other type online. Maybe I will have better luck with it. Thanks for the suggestion! Is a couple of times a week about right to give it to them? I usually put out 3-4 pieces (it's the small size pellets) 2-3 times per week.
 

Ray--Opo

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5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Oct 14, 2017
Messages
7,017
Location (City and/or State)
Palm Bay Fl
Mine says LS on the package. It's the only kind my local pet shop carries. I will try the zucchini trick...and after this bag is gone, I will order the other type online. Maybe I will have better luck with it. Thanks for the suggestion! Is a couple of times a week about right to give it to them? I usually put out 3-4 pieces (it's the small size pellets) 2-3 times per week.
Opo is just over 10lbs. I give him 4 or 5 at a time. I didn't even try to give it to him by itself. The first 2 or 3 times I hid it the shredded zucchini. Now he eats it alone. But I think it's the LS(low starch). Most don't have good results.
 

MPappagallo

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Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
368
Location (City and/or State)
Myrtle Beach, SC
Opo is just over 10lbs. I give him 4 or 5 at a time. I didn't even try to give it to him by itself. The first 2 or 3 times I hid it the shredded zucchini. Now he eats it alone. But I think it's the LS(low starch). Most don't have good results.
Thanks for the info. I am happy to know that it's not just something I am doing wrong. LOL It sounds like the LS type is just not as popular with the tortoises. Sorta like the fact that low fat/low calorie is not as popular with me! LOL
 
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