I inherited a 9 lbs desert tortoise and had nothing to feed him so I gave him some smoothie mix I had and he loved it. I am wondering if it is good for him. He lives in an enclosed backyard with a lawn and ungroomed plant beds so he can eat whatever. I feed him a mixture of sprouted black rice, chickpeas, black beans and wheatgrass that I blend into a mush. It's about 50% wheatgrass. What do you think of this?
Grains and Legumes for California Desert tortoise
- Thread starter fwuts
- Start date
-
- Tags
- diet grains legumes wheatgrass
Depends upon how high those sprouted items are in protein. Desert tortoises aren't used to getting too much plant protein.
Welcome to the Forum!
Welcome to the Forum!
That is too much protein, and he's in danger of forming a bladder stone. Its important to keep him well hydrated for a while now. I'd soak every other day in a tall sided opaque tub with shallow water. You can also run a hose onto your grass and they love to drink from the puddles. You can also spray water onto the food before they eat it.
Your tortoise should be eating the right weeds, leaves, grasses and succulents. Here is a starter list:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads
Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard
Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food
