grass issue

[Hurcules_sulcata]

I live in a college dorm and I'm worried about feeding my sulcata the grass because I'm sure they spray it with pesticides and fertilizers. Right now our baby sulcata is eating soft tortoise food and kale. Are there any suggestions for what kind of grass I could try and by Or where I could get it.

 

[leigti]

Wow, when I was in college and lived in the dorms I had a goldfish. How things have changed at the grocery store you can find wheatgrass. How big is your little tortoise right now?

 

[Tom]

There are lots of other things you can feed. The wheat grass from the grocery store that leigti mentioned is one easy solution. Pet stores sell it too. They cost about $2 and you can just chop it onto the other greens you are feeding that day. Spray your greens with a little water first and the grass pieces will stick to it. Keep the little grass pot in a window sill or somewhere sunny and keep it watered and you will get 7 or 8 cuttings from each plot. I'll bet you could get more if you repotted it into some soil, but I've never tried. With multiple plots you could use some every day while the other ones regrow.

You should also look into growing some spineless opuntia cactus pads. Really easy to do in pots indoors or out.

Finally, you need much more variety from the grocery store. Favor endive and escarole heavily, but use other stuff regularly too. Cilantro, turnip, mustard and collard greens, carrot tops, celery tops, etc...

This thread has even more suggestions: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Hurcules_sulcata]

There are lots of other things you can feed. The wheat grass from the grocery store that leigti mentioned is one easy solution. Pet stores sell it too. They cost about $2 and you can just chop it onto the other greens you are feeding that day. Spray your greens with a little water first and the grass pieces will stick to it. Keep the little grass pot in a window sill or somewhere sunny and keep it watered and you will get 7 or 8 cuttings from each plot. I'll bet you could get more if you repotted it into some soil, but I've never tried. With multiple plots you could use some every day while the other ones regrow.

You should also look into growing some spineless opuntia cactus pads. Really easy to do in pots indoors or out.

Finally, you need much more variety from the grocery store. Favor endive and escarole heavily, but use other stuff regularly too. Cilantro, turnip, mustard and collard greens, carrot tops, celery tops, etc...

This thread has even more suggestions: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Thanks for the help we just got him I doubt he is a year old

 

[Sheldon the russian tortoise]

Is wheat grass the same as cat Grass?

 

[Tom]

Is wheat grass the same as cat Grass?

I've seen several types of "cat grass" for sale at pet shops, including cat nip which is toxic. Be careful. If the type of grass is not clearly identified, and you are not sure what it is from previous experience, I would not risk it. The stuff sold at grocery stores is intended for human consumption, so I feel pretty confident that its safe for my tortoises.

 

[Sheldon the russian tortoise]

Ok thanks tom

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

I use a lot of dark, leafy greens from the produce section of the store, plus I have a garden. You can make an indoor garden by planting seeds in cat litter trays of potting soil. Position the trays by a window that gets a lot of light, and hang a long tube type fluorescent bulb over the trays too.

 

[Prairie Mom]

Here are some grass seeds I ordered on Amazon. All of these sprout with no problem and have worked well for me.

wheat grass
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KHYAM48/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

tall fescue
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AZ03DQ/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
(you may consider looking for a shade grass to grow in a window)

Barley
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001156C5K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

You could grow them in these trays just like Yvonne mentioned...

Trays
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7MTUI/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
---------------------------------------------------
Whew! A fast growing Sulcata in a dorm room is going to be tricky! Please be sure to post often and ask for tips regularly. I'm pretty crazy for keeping a sulcata in a cold climate. -It's taking a lot of $$ and resources to try to house my beloved tortoise happily and I still have LOTS of work to do. If by some chance you learn that it isn't going to work out, this forum has a section where you can find a responsible new owner and even adopt a smaller beastie to love. There is a "bartering and trade" forum section, as well as a "For Sale" forum section. Please know I wish you the best of Luck and hope things work out great for everyone! We're all eager to offer help and friendly advice for you and your beastie

 

[Hurcules_sulcata]

Yall have been so helpful. I will update monthly on him growth and health. I am going to switch him to a 50 gallon tin instead of a 10 gallon tin so I can have more time to build him a much better suited home. I am living in the dorm until the summer thenow I'll be in am apartment and in my own home the following year. If all goes as planned he will be perfectly fine. I will stay active on this forum for sure.