Just curious...

[Ashmash]

How do tortoises eat things like cactus and cactus fruit in the wild with out getting mouthfuls of spines?

 

[dmmj]

They don't most tortoises lips and gums are tough so they can usually eat them comfortably, but I don't know what it feel like going down.

 

[dmarcus]

I think in the wild they go more for the younger pads with less spines..

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't know if this is true, but my guess is that their saliva is super sticky or thick, and protects them. ???

 

[Ashmash]

The young pads makes sense, but aren't they usually near the top? How can they reach?

 

[ascott]

I think they "nibble" vs gigantanormous chunks....

 

[Laura]

no lips, but not sure about the inside of thier mouths and tongues...

 

[ascott]

Captain America....I have seen photos where they have actually captured pics of wild tortoises (as well as some lizards) with spines actually through their lips...not their beak, but their lips....ouch until they work it out huh.....