- Joined
- Nov 4, 2015
- Messages
- 45
We tortoise keepers don't want pyramiding and deformed tortoises due to abnormal bone development. We obsess over UV sources: lamps or sunlight. My experience is that diets with the right Calcium phosphorus ratio is just as important to growing a smooth dense shell. For example, A friend grazes his tortoises on his lawn which is mainly white clover after several years of rapid growth they are extremely smooth. Clover and other legumes have much more calcium then phosphorus about 5:1. Some people say we should limit legumes do to their high protein. I disagree. My experience is that you can feed lots of clover/legumes and get great results because of the high Calcium and protein with adequate UV. At times I feed half legumes. Also, its very important to limit plants with high levels of oxalates which binds up the calcium and can cause bladder stones. Ed Pirog I know has had similar experience especially concerning the bladder stones. I also like Mazuri diet because the urate waste (turtle pee) is nice and white and not gritty sort of like bird droppings. I noticed if you feed to many dandelians you get gritty grey colored waste even with good hydration. The minerals such as sodium etc in the Mazuri has something to do with it. What's your experience.