prickly pear

[Emily Contreras]

My nana has a prickly pear cactus in the backyard that is more than 30 years old! (I think)
It has never been sprayed or treated, its just survived on its own. Anyways, can I feed that to saturn?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Yes. Definitely.
If you have the option of picking and choosing. Take the new, small, soft pads.
The spines wont get you when they're soft.
You can also feed the cactus flower and fruit.
However. Sulcata must have fruit on rare occasions only.

 

[Emily Contreras]

Yes. Definitely.
If you have the option of picking and choosing. Take the new, small, soft pads.
The spines wont get you when they're soft.

Do i feed him the actualy cactus or the little pears

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Both.
Mostly the cactus.
Most keepers cut off the spines. Though it's been said that that is not required.(and it makes sense)

 

[drew54]

Do i feed him the actualy cactus or the little pears

The actual pads. The red things are the fruit. The fruit can be very messy if you don't already know, but from my understanding most tortoises like it.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings..

I just posted this on another thread..

The Cactus Pad



The Cleaned Pad




Trimming Off the Edges



And Cut Up Ready to Serve



Served with Nopales Fruit

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The actual pads. The red things are the fruit. The fruit can be very messy if you don't already know, but from my understanding most tortoises like it.

True. But I cant say how much is safe for a Sulcata to eat. (The fruit)
It has a low sugar content. So I'm thinking its relatively safe as an occasional treat. The cactus, however, can be fed semi regularly.

 

[drew54]

True. But I cant say how much is safe for a Sulcata to eat. (The fruit)
It has a low sugar content. So I'm thinking its relatively safe as an occasional treat. The cactus, however, can be fed semi regularly.

I think I read in one of the million threads on here that you wnt to treat it like any other fruit as you stated an occasional treat. Have you or anyone else on here ever eat the fruit yourselves?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Yes.
It's pretty mild.
Tastes like nothing.
But it DOES stain your fingers.

 

[drew54]

Yes.
It's pretty mild.
Tastes like nothing.
But it DOES stain your fingers.

I've thought about getting some to try, but I'm usually pretty hesitant about new foods.

 

[Tom]

I feed spineless opuntia pads to my guys all Summer long and well into fall. Great tortoise food. No need to cut it or prepare it in any way. Even my little star hatchlings have no problems taking bites from and eating whole pads.

 

[Tom]

My nana has a prickly pear cactus in the backyard that is more than 30 years old! (I think)
It has never been sprayed or treated, its just survived on its own. Anyways, can I feed that to saturn?

Is it the spineless variety? Can we see a pic?

I feed the cactus fruit to my guys once in a while. I don't consider it "fruit" like a strawberry or a grape.

 

[Emily Contreras]

Is it the spineless variety? Can we see a pic?

I feed the cactus fruit to my guys once in a while. I don't consider it "fruit" like a strawberry or a grape.

Well Im going to my nanas this weekend, It doesnt have any spikes on it. I know the rabbits near her house always eat the fallen fruit. They also make this yummy mexican dish out of it. but it has no spikes at all.

 

[Emily Contreras]

I feed spineless opuntia pads to my guys all Summer long and well into fall. Great tortoise food. No need to cut it or prepare it in any way. Even my little star hatchlings have no problems taking bites from and eating whole pads.

mm AWESOME Im glad. because hes starting to get bored of hibiscus leaves and dandelions

 

[Emily Contreras]

I've thought about getting some to try, but I'm usually pretty hesitant about new foods.

I like it. It isn't sweet but it fills you up! The rabbits around my nanas like it, too.

 

[Tom]

Well Im going to my nanas this weekend, It doesnt have any spikes on it. I know the rabbits near her house always eat the fallen fruit. They also make this yummy mexican dish out of it. but it has no spikes at all.

In that case, grab a whole bunch of the newer pads that grew this year. Start with smaller pads until he gets used to it. Some tortoises will readily eat it on day one, but most tortoises have to be introduced to it over time. Once they know what it is, they love it. If you store the pads some where with good ventilation, preferably outside in the shade, they will last for months. Don't put them in a bag or box and don't put them in the fridge. That will make them go bad quicker.

 

[Emily Contreras]

In that case, grab a whole bunch of the newer pads that grew this year. Start with smaller pads until he gets used to it. Some tortoises will readily eat it on day one, but most tortoises have to be introduced to it over time. Once they know what it is, they love it. If you store the pads some where with good ventilation, preferably outside in the shade, they will last for months. Don't put them in a bag or box and don't put them in the fridge. That will make them go bad quicker.

Okay thanks! PHEW im so glad he can eat those. That'll save me some money lol.

 

[drew54]

I like it. It isn't sweet but it fills you up! The rabbits around my nanas like it, too.

I will have to get some and try it and give Nyx a little.

 

[Tom]

Okay thanks! PHEW im so glad he can eat those. That'll save me some money lol.

The best tortoise foods are FREE!

Now you've got to find a mulberry tree near you...

 

[Emily Contreras]

The best tortoise foods are FREE!

Now you've got to find a mulberry tree near you...

Oh i live in arizona. I can definetley find one.