Food ratio for a red-footed tortoise

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Hello all,

We will be getting two red foots on the 21st of March and wanted to know what is a good vegetable to fruit ratio? 60% veggies and 40% fruit?

We are aware that they need some protein as well so we plan to feed small pieces of chicken or shrimp once a week (very small amount) as to not overdo the protein.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

More like an 80/20 or 90/10. I only give fruit once a week.
The staple is Hibiscus leaves with flowers and greens from their garden.
Protein is from Mazuri and wetted dog food at about 10%.
I also dust with some mineral supplement about once a week.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You have lodging/containment all figured out? You'll need a lot of humidity (At least 75%) and a way to supply a constant 77-85 degrees.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Yes we have figured out housing and humidity. Just trying to get food figured out

 

[ZEROPILOT]

GREAT.
You'll be fine.
Red Footeds aren't very picky eaters at all.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Thank you Zero, we do have Hibiscus outside and plan to feed. No pesticides used or anything on them ever.

We also have some prickly pear cactus we plan on giving (minus the pricklies)

 

[DutchieAmanda]

The diet of my redfoot is shell size pile of greens + head size pile of fruit (so around 80/20 I guess). Once a week I feed a protein source next to some greens. I use soaked cat food or shrimp. 3 times a week I sprinkle a little bit of calcium supplement.

I based my feeding on the information on the Tortoise Library website, very useful info there!

Good luck and lots of fun with your redfoot!

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Would you still need to sprinkle calcium even with cuttlebone in the enclosure?

I'll have to take a look at the site

 

[Robber]

I also do more like 80/20; I find it hard to believe there is that much fruit just laying around in their natural habitat.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

If you can find REPASHY, I can tell you there won't be an issue with it not being eaten.
Most of the "white" supplements get turned down if used to heavily. This REPASHY is great stuff.
With enough real sunlight, you can really cut back on the supplements.

 

[Anyfoot]

More like an 80/20 or 90/10. I only give fruit once a week.
The staple is Hibiscus leaves with flowers and greens from their garden.
Protein is from Mazuri and wetted dog food at about 10%.
I also dust with some mineral supplement about once a week.

Hi @ZEROPILOT , can torts eat the leaves off of any hibiscus flower/bush or tree.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

From what I have been reading, the leaves and flowers of Hibiscus are edible.

I would not feed them plants that have had pesticides or non-organic fertilizer added onto them though. Mine have been grown organically.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hi @ZEROPILOT , can torts eat the leaves off of any hibiscus flower/bush or tree.

Leaves, flowers, stems, bark.....I cut off entire branches and toss them in if I'm in a hurry. They grow very quickly and I have seven bushes. One is the size of a healthy tree.
They will not eat them if the leaves are wilted. They must be fresh. Also, not all colors of flower are as eagerly consumed. Red is the favorite by far. I have red, orange, yellow and peach colored flowers.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

I know a lot of weeds are safe, but one question.

The weeds that have the little white flowers with yellow in the middle (the ones with the annoying little brown appendages that get stuck all over your clothes)... are they safe to eat? My yard gets full of them before I mow the lawn.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I haven't fed those to them.
The biggest bonanza in a Florida yard is PURSLANE. It is EVERYWHERE! Red Footeds love it. Do a google search and look in your yard. You'll see in the sandier areas.
There is another plant with little faint purple colored bell shaped flowers. I don't know the name, but my R/F seek them out when left in the yard.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Oh we have a ton of Purslane! Sweet!

It is so nice having stuff growing outside you can feed to your pets. I believe we also have some of the little purple flower ones as well.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Check out TESTUDO seed mix from Tortoise supply.
I can not say enough about the variety and ammount of seeds. The small package has grown a wheelbarrow full of greenery and I've only used about 1/4 of the bag.

 

[Ashley & Anthony DeGilio]

Do you have to throw the seeds down and make sure to water and care for the plants or are these kind of set it and forget it plants?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I just toss some on top of the soil and they take off.