DallysW
Member
Can I give my Sulcata Tortoise Mammoth elephant ear?!? I hear they love them and i year don’t feed them any, so I’m a little confuse. Thanks!
Mammoth Elephant ears!
- Thread starter DallysW
- Start date
Greetings..
I had a ton of Elephant Ears this year too! Unfortunately, the common response here to this question is no, don’t feed the leaves especially to Sulcatas. Apparently, I “think” Redfoot torts can, but the response is a no for most all other torts.
Wiki says this “....Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat. This acridity is caused in part by microscopic needle-like raphides of calcium oxalate monohydrate and in part by another chemical, probably a protease. The acridity helps to naturally deter herbivores from eating it. It must be processed by cooking, soaking or fermenting – sometimes along with an acid (lime or tamarind) – before being eaten.”
I had a ton of Elephant Ears this year too! Unfortunately, the common response here to this question is no, don’t feed the leaves especially to Sulcatas. Apparently, I “think” Redfoot torts can, but the response is a no for most all other torts.
Wiki says this “....Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat. This acridity is caused in part by microscopic needle-like raphides of calcium oxalate monohydrate and in part by another chemical, probably a protease. The acridity helps to naturally deter herbivores from eating it. It must be processed by cooking, soaking or fermenting – sometimes along with an acid (lime or tamarind) – before being eaten.”
Yes.... i think Tom is correct on this one. I couldnt remember if it was Redfoot or Manouria who could eat Elephant Ears.
Thanks for following up on this one Tom.
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I don't have sulcatas, so for a species specific answer, "I don't know". I have fed Colocasia to the manouria often, and stalks can be purchased in grocery stores.
As it is an irritant, and not a 'poison' it might be okay to offer a small amount, wait a day or two, or three and see if they would eat more. Always alongside other known preferred foods.
@DallysW I get it that when a food resource is in abundance it's hard to let it waste.
Of course the OP has not stated precisely what plant they mean. How about a species name of the plant OP? it could be
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colocasia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caladium
or
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alocasia
So lets see what feedipedia has to say about each of these.
Colocasia - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/search/node/Colocasia
Caladium - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/548
Alocasia - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/11760
@Maro2Bear you had a wiki link to quote, but not the actual link? Care to share? Got you covered buddy.
As sulcata do not share a range with any of these plants, try it cautiously, if at all.
As it is an irritant, and not a 'poison' it might be okay to offer a small amount, wait a day or two, or three and see if they would eat more. Always alongside other known preferred foods.
@DallysW I get it that when a food resource is in abundance it's hard to let it waste.
Of course the OP has not stated precisely what plant they mean. How about a species name of the plant OP? it could be
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colocasia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caladium
or
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alocasia
So lets see what feedipedia has to say about each of these.
Colocasia - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/search/node/Colocasia
Caladium - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/548
Alocasia - edible
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/11760
@Maro2Bear you had a wiki link to quote, but not the actual link? Care to share? Got you covered buddy.
As sulcata do not share a range with any of these plants, try it cautiously, if at all.
