Fern

[fern4]

Hello,
I have a 2 year old male Ibera Greek tortoise. He's spunky and the love of my life. My question for you all is that I live in the Midwest and food availability of dandelion greens, clover, etc are not readily available. What do you suggest for feeding? My biggest concern is he is going to get the pyramid look from lack of nutrients. I included a picture of Fern so I could get your opinion if you think he is starting the effects of it. Thanks!! Nice to have people to talk to about my boy

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forums! pyramiding is actually caused by lack of humidity in a tortoises enclosure, its best to have deep substate that can stay moist. most of your tortoises diet should be nontoxic weeds and a little bit of store vegetables. if you post some pics of weeds or vegetables we can help identify them to say if they can be fed or not, a large variety of foods is they way to a healthy tort. can you post some enclosure pics? are you using a UVB light? does your tort have access to water to all times? here is a really good greek tortoise care sheet. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/ here we do not consider any tortoise questions as stupid or dumb, so don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have.

 

[teresaf]

Some of what has been written is being proven wrong. The care-sheets on this forum are more up to date(updated by breeders on this forum) than any book you'll read written in the past. You'll also find many new techniques that are interesting theories that are needing a good go. For instance cold pressed coconut oil smoothed on their shells to moisturize them and protect against the harsh artificial lights they're under(and help pyramidig)? I just started this myself. Others may say they didn't need this on their torts but do ttheir torts live under artificial lights and heat emitters most of the year? Because I'm in ohio I decided to try this on not only my baby meps but my pyramided leopard i just got. Here is the link to the thread about cold pressed coconut oil: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/coconut-oil.103782/page-1 Your little guy looks like he is starting to pyramid but nothing that will show up later when he's full grown (if you fix the problem now-humidity). If you choose the humidity route keep temps up above 80 at all times to avoid RI. It'll take a whle to see results since the damage thats done doesn't go away it just doesn't get worse and proper growth separates the knobs with smoother growth. I think this would only be necesary until he's older and stops growingso fast.

 

[teresaf]

Some of what has been written is being proven wrong. The care-sheets on this forum are more up to date(updated by breeders on this forum) than any book you'll read written in the past. You'll also find many new techniques that are interesting theories that are needing a good go. For instance cold pressed coconut oil smoothed on their shells to moisturize them and protect against the harsh artificial lights they're under(and help pyramidig)? I just started this myself. Others may say they didn't need this on their torts but do ttheir torts live under artificial lights and heat emitters most of the year? Because I'm in ohio I decided to try this on not only my baby meps but my pyramided leopard i just got. Here is the link to the thread about cold pressed coconut oil: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/coconut-oil.103782/page-1 Your little guy looks like he is starting to pyramid but nothing that will show up later when he's full grown (if you fix the problem now-humidity). If you choose the humidity route keep temps up above 80 at all times to avoid RI. It'll take a whle to see results since the damage thats done doesn't go away it just doesn't get worse and proper growth separates the knobs with smoother growth. I think this would only be necesary until he's older and stops growingso fast.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

You can feed him from the grocery store and farmers market and home gardens. You'd be surprised how many good weeds you can forage for him.

Cute picture. Tortoises do better in dedicated habitats, not in bed or loose in the house. So many hazards!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hi Fern.
He is beginning to pyramid so you should ensure he gets lots of access to water, lots of soaks and that the humidity is higher.
Have a look at http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp
to check your local vegetation to see what is good for your tortoise.