New Momma!

[marheingans]

I adopted a year old male so Sulcata tortoise, Ginsburg, a week and a half ago. Everything’s been going fine. But I’m really confused about their diet. Some I read only to see them grasses and dandelion leaves but not too much or that bad for them. Others I see where they need more like Romain lettuce and other types of lettuce. Then I’ll see were too much of Romain lettuce is bad for them. Same thing about pellet food. I’m not sure what to believe. I did get some calcium powder specific for reptiles. But I’m not quite sure how much to give him.

One other question completely separate from his diet is I’ve seen where you are supposed to deworm at your tortoise twice a year. Is this necessary or even a just in case thing to do?

I am new to this site so please ask me questions because I’m not quite sure if ai am asking questions right. And I will try to navigate the site to answer your questions or thank you for your answers.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings

Make sure you read the care guide

✅ https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...se-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/

I’m sure almost all of your questions are answered in that guide.

Sullys are grass grazers. Weeds, grass, dandelion blooms are all great. Mulberry, grape leaves & hibiscus flowers & leaves. It’s best to stay away from lettuces.... stick with grass & weeds.

 

[iAmCentrochelys sulcata]

Tortoise need a variety. Feed Grasses and weeds as a staple you could add pellets.
Lettuce shouldn’t be fed Often if doesn’t have a high nutritional value, I feed it one a week so they can get some water content.

SHORT ANSWER: Weeds and Grasses
It’s not necessary to deworm, it’s best if you do.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Congrats on your new baby! Read through the thread Maro posted its everything you need to know. And come back with any questions. Welcome!

 

[marheingans]

What about wheat grass???

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Wheat grass is good!

 

[Srmcclure]

My SA Leopard is a grass grazer and he loves his wheat grass that i planted in his enclosure

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

First, a 1 year old sulcata is way too young and small to determine gender. Some breeders do a thing with temperature to try for males or females, but it is highly variable in results. It's going to take several years to be certain about Ginsburg.

Worming is not needed unless there are symptoms of worms. Diarrhea, losing weight despite a hearty appetite, lethargy...but even then, take some poop to the vet and have it checked. Unless he was carrying a large parasite load, frequently worms are not treated at all.

Wheat grass is great! You can grow it. Or I have an organic grocery store where I buy a flat of it, about 14"x14". It's called Clark's...I don't know if they are in TX or not.

Here's a list of good foods for tortoises. As mentioned before, sullies are grass eaters. But the wider variety of foods you give him, the better. He won't be a picky eater, he'll be healthier, and it makes it easier for you too!

It's a looong list...
Compiled by Tom:
Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory" is good, as are radiccio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned. The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales." Cactus is a great food to rotate in the diet, as it is high in calcium.

You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets.

Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions.

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Nasturtium
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

Ones that you can buy in every store:
Arugula
Lambs lettuce
Chicory
Kale
Mustard greens
Organic kohlrabi leafs
Organic carrot leafs
Organic radish leafs
Dandelions
Radiccio


Their main diet should be broad leaf weeds, succulents and grasses. Store bought foods are okay, but not the best. Collards and dandelions are a good food, but neither should be used every day. Check out the plant ID section for lots of ideas on weeds to feed. You can get spineless opuntia cactus pads from most Mexican grocery stores, or grow them yourself. You can also easily grow grape leaves, african hibiscus, regular hibiscus (if it will survive in your area), and mulberry leaves. You can try red apple, ice plant, and jade plant too. Also look into Gazania, pansies, nasturtiums, carnations, geraniums and many others. At the grocery store, favor endive and escarole, but also use cilantro, carrot tops, mustard and turnip greens, bok choy, radiccio, swiss chard, watercress, parsley, all the lettuces, etc. Lots of variety is best. There are also tortoise "weed" seed mixes that you can grow. I like the "Testudo Mix" from Tortoisesupply.com.
Buckwheat; cactus; vetch; Mohave aster; creosote bush; desert four o’clock; tacoma stans; bladderpod; globe mallow; goldenhead; burro weed; so many things!