Skin on or off?

Mummyrush08

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May 28, 2020
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Isle of Wight
When it comes to food such as butternut squash/pumpkin/melon etc. Can the skin be left on or should we remove it? Thankies xxx
 

GBtortoises

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I always leave the skin on. But almost all of what I use comes from our own garden so I know that there are no insecticides on anything. If it is store bought or from an unknown source I would be on the safe side and either cut the skin off or wash it very well to remove any insecticide residue.
I cut squashes and pumpkin into cubes for larger tortoises, for small and baby tortoises I will cut it up in much smaller pieces, sometimes parboil (minus the salt) it to soften it so they more easily bite into it.
 

Mummyrush08

New Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
7
Location (City and/or State)
Isle of Wight
I always leave the skin on. But almost all of what I use comes from our own garden so I know that there are no insecticides on anything. If it is store bought or from an unknown source I would be on the safe side and either cut the skin off or wash it very well to remove any insecticide residue.
I cut squashes and pumpkin into cubes for larger tortoises, for small and baby tortoises I will cut it up in much smaller pieces, sometimes parboil (minus the salt) it to soften it so they more easily bite into it.
Thank you. Iv been peeling it and cutting into chunks which Torty then bites into. Will carry on as I am until my own stuff grows at the allotment then I might try it with skin on ??
 

Tom

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When it comes to food such as butternut squash/pumpkin/melon etc. Can the skin be left on or should we remove it? Thankies xxx
What species and size tortoise?

For large species, like sulcatas, I just give them whole pumpkins with skin and all and they just eat it. For smaller species, I grate squash or pumpkin and mix it with greens. I don't feed melon to any of mine because I have no fruit eating species and its not good for non-fruit eating species. I don't like cutting it into chunks because they can choke on it and die. If they bite off their own chunks, it can never be too big or the wrong size. If the pieces are grated and mixed in with other greens, they can also never be too big or the wrong size.
 

Mummyrush08

New Member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
7
Location (City and/or State)
Isle of Wight
What species and size tortoise?

For large species, like sulcatas, I just give them whole pumpkins with skin and all and they just eat it. For smaller species, I grate squash or pumpkin and mix it with greens. I don't feed melon to any of mine because I have no fruit eating species and its not good for non-fruit eating species. I don't like cutting it into chunks because they can choke on it and die. If they bite off their own chunks, it can never be too big or the wrong size. If the pieces are grated and mixed in with other greens, they can also never be too big or the wrong size.
We have an Indian star tortoise. The chucks of food are way bigger than his little head, there’s no way he’s getting the whole thing in his mouth. He takes the cutest little bites out of everything. I used to grate things but found he wouldn’t touch it for ages and then it had started to go a bit yucky whereas the chunks stay fresh for longer
 
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