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I've been told fresh stir fry mixture is ideal? Don't want to give the little guy anything I shouldn't!
Stir fry?
- Thread starter georgeshaw
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Yes, tortoise stir fry is delicious. You need to start with a fat..........Oh, did you mean the vegetables?
What all is included in your package of stir fry?
You'll want to look at the individual ingredients. If your situation is anything like here, there are some stir fry packets that are a fantastic mix for tortoises.
Others (usually the most varied and more expensive ones) contain things I'd never feed to Emrys.
Others (usually the most varied and more expensive ones) contain things I'd never feed to Emrys.
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Cabbage, carrot, broccoli, bean sprouts...
Peppers and sweetcorn? Them two are what made me think? Only had my RT a week so trying to find what's best to buy!
Peppers and sweetcorn? Them two are what made me think? Only had my RT a week so trying to find what's best to buy!
cherylim said:
what a cute pictue of your tort.
I would use that mixture sparingly. Too much in the brassica family, and brassicas might cause gout.
There are other packaged lettuces that would be better. Look for one that has endive or escarole in it.`
There are other packaged lettuces that would be better. Look for one that has endive or escarole in it.`
momo said:
Thank you! Hoping to get some much better ones in the summer, though. I still prefer the ones of him on the grass.
OP, I have to agree to use it sparingly. Take a look around your local shops - we have some that are mixed lettuce and some beansprouts, with little bits of carrot and mushroom. Those are a good choice. Others come with onions, spinach, chillis, peas and other crunchy random additions, but you usually pay more for those so it works out better to save yourself money!
georgeshaw said:
I would only feed any of those things as a very small percentage of the diet for a russian. Less than 10% for all of that stuff combined. None of it is toxic or anything, its just not what they SHOULD be eating. Your tortoise should be eating a wide variety of broadleaf weeds. Dandelion, plantain (the weed, not the fruit), filaree, mallow, sowthistle, clover (not oxalis, be careful), hawksbit, wild mustard, wild onion/garlic, etc... There are whole lists to pick from. Leaves from mulberry trees, hibiscus plants and grape leaves are all excellent too. Spineless opuntia is a nice addition once in a while for a russian also.
If you can't get any of this for some reason, you can get spring mix, santa barbara mix, or a whole host of leafy greens like endive, escarole, cilantro, radiccio, carrot tops, collard greens, turnip and mustard greens, etc... With grocery store foods, it is a good idea to supplement your calcium a bit more and add some fiber. There is a product called "Salad Style" that you simply sprinkle on top of grocery store foods to make them better for your tortoise. I got mine from Tyler at Tortoisesupply.com.
Good luck.
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Thank you all for your help!
Tom where can I get my hands on weeds such as the ones you've mentioned?
I've bought a growing pack which is in the post but I imagine it'll be some time before they're ready..
Tom where can I get my hands on weeds such as the ones you've mentioned?
I've bought a growing pack which is in the post but I imagine it'll be some time before they're ready..
Weeds are everywhere around you. If you live in the frozen North, you'll have to wait until spring. If you live in a more temperate area they are available all year.
Use caution about where you collect them from. No pesticides or other chemicals, of course. We have a section in the "Plant ID" subforum to help you ID the ones near you, or you can post pics and we will try to help.
Over the years it has given me great joy to learn to ID all the weeds around me and find new areas to collect them from. There is fun in collecting them too, and just knowing that it is the best possible diet for your tortoises AND its FREE!!!, is a great feeling too. Local nurseries are a great place to get weed ID help too. I think its a really cool thing when our tortoises start teaching us a little bit about the world around us.
Tyler at tortoisesupply.com also sells a Testudo mix. It is a whole bunch of leafy greens and weeds and stuff. It grows REALLY well for me and it is great food. One 4x8' planter box with the stuff will feed a russian easily during the warmer months. During the summer you will have more than you know what to do with. You might start making some "natural" salads for your self, or looking for friends and neighbors with tortoises to feed. This is my favorite seed mix of all time and it is taylor made for the Testudo, even though I feed to to my leopards and sulcatas too.
Use caution about where you collect them from. No pesticides or other chemicals, of course. We have a section in the "Plant ID" subforum to help you ID the ones near you, or you can post pics and we will try to help.
Over the years it has given me great joy to learn to ID all the weeds around me and find new areas to collect them from. There is fun in collecting them too, and just knowing that it is the best possible diet for your tortoises AND its FREE!!!, is a great feeling too. Local nurseries are a great place to get weed ID help too. I think its a really cool thing when our tortoises start teaching us a little bit about the world around us.
Tyler at tortoisesupply.com also sells a Testudo mix. It is a whole bunch of leafy greens and weeds and stuff. It grows REALLY well for me and it is great food. One 4x8' planter box with the stuff will feed a russian easily during the warmer months. During the summer you will have more than you know what to do with. You might start making some "natural" salads for your self, or looking for friends and neighbors with tortoises to feed. This is my favorite seed mix of all time and it is taylor made for the Testudo, even though I feed to to my leopards and sulcatas too.
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