Those of us who deal with Red-foots and other forest species like Hinge-backs know that field study after field study tells of our animals eating a lot of fruit... but do we always know what they mean by the term 'fruit'?
Botanically, the way the researchers use the term, it basically describes any part of a plant that contains at least one seed and some nutrients for the seed. Within the definition of 'fruit' are many groupings, nuts, berries, 'false berries', various 'compound' fruits, legumes, and more.
At the grocery store, however, we tend to define fruit by sweetness and moisture content regardless of what the structure actually is (like "this isn't a fruit! It is not sweet and tasty!").
Some things we call 'vegetables' that are really fruits include:
- Cucumbers, okra, corn and zucchini.
- Eggplants and Bell Peppers- which are actually berries, along with tomatoes and avocados.
- Squash and pumpkin are 'pepos', a category that includes the melons.
- Peas and beans are legumes, another kind of fruit.
The things that are 'really' vegetables are the other parts of the plants- leaves, stalks, bulbs, tubers, roots, etc. without seeds.
Why should we care? Because these 'new' fruits give us more options. Like most fruit, they are rich in fiber, water, vitamins and nutrients while being low in oxalic acid and other 'antinutrients'. They are also lower in sugars than more traditional fruits.
For example: people often toss in some shredded carrot to get vitamin A and other nutrients, while yellow squash or pumpkin can offer many of the same things- and be a more natural food item.
On the 'down side', they are also rather low in calcium, like most other fruits (papaya, figs, and cacti fruits are the big exceptions to this).
So, give your torts a treat and try something different for breakfast tomorrow!
NOTE: This is NOT meant to imply in any way that ALL tortoises need fruit- this is aimed mostly at Red- and Yellow-foot keepers, and hopefully is also helpful to keepers of Hinge-backs, Elongateds, and Burmese Tortoises to some degree.
NOTE 2: Inclusion in this list does mean the stuff is good to feed too much. For example, tomatoes are known to cause diarrhea in many tortoises (mine never seem bothered, though), peas are considered high in protein, etc. As in all things- moderation and variety. And remember the basics- heat, light, water, etc.
NOTE 3: Before you 'poo poo' this idea, take a look at some of the more common fruits eaten by Red-foots- mombin fruit, 'monstera' fruits, jaqura, etc. Most have tough rinds, firm and rather 'dry' flesh, and unusual flavors and textures- like the rather familiar fig- a big favorite! Nothing like the nice, juicy mangos and pineapples many of us use.
(For more info, try the Wikipedia entry for 'fruit')
Botanically, the way the researchers use the term, it basically describes any part of a plant that contains at least one seed and some nutrients for the seed. Within the definition of 'fruit' are many groupings, nuts, berries, 'false berries', various 'compound' fruits, legumes, and more.
At the grocery store, however, we tend to define fruit by sweetness and moisture content regardless of what the structure actually is (like "this isn't a fruit! It is not sweet and tasty!").
Some things we call 'vegetables' that are really fruits include:
- Cucumbers, okra, corn and zucchini.
- Eggplants and Bell Peppers- which are actually berries, along with tomatoes and avocados.
- Squash and pumpkin are 'pepos', a category that includes the melons.
- Peas and beans are legumes, another kind of fruit.
The things that are 'really' vegetables are the other parts of the plants- leaves, stalks, bulbs, tubers, roots, etc. without seeds.
Why should we care? Because these 'new' fruits give us more options. Like most fruit, they are rich in fiber, water, vitamins and nutrients while being low in oxalic acid and other 'antinutrients'. They are also lower in sugars than more traditional fruits.
For example: people often toss in some shredded carrot to get vitamin A and other nutrients, while yellow squash or pumpkin can offer many of the same things- and be a more natural food item.
On the 'down side', they are also rather low in calcium, like most other fruits (papaya, figs, and cacti fruits are the big exceptions to this).
So, give your torts a treat and try something different for breakfast tomorrow!
NOTE: This is NOT meant to imply in any way that ALL tortoises need fruit- this is aimed mostly at Red- and Yellow-foot keepers, and hopefully is also helpful to keepers of Hinge-backs, Elongateds, and Burmese Tortoises to some degree.
NOTE 2: Inclusion in this list does mean the stuff is good to feed too much. For example, tomatoes are known to cause diarrhea in many tortoises (mine never seem bothered, though), peas are considered high in protein, etc. As in all things- moderation and variety. And remember the basics- heat, light, water, etc.
NOTE 3: Before you 'poo poo' this idea, take a look at some of the more common fruits eaten by Red-foots- mombin fruit, 'monstera' fruits, jaqura, etc. Most have tough rinds, firm and rather 'dry' flesh, and unusual flavors and textures- like the rather familiar fig- a big favorite! Nothing like the nice, juicy mangos and pineapples many of us use.
(For more info, try the Wikipedia entry for 'fruit')
