Swallowing whole?

[Sh3wulf]

Benny has taken to swallowing his mazuri whole. It's scares me to death. In so concerned he will choke. I have stopped feeding it unless it's mushed. Is this unusual or am I right to be concerned?

 

[Tom]

All tortoises swallow their food whole. They take bites, but swallow the biggest chunks they can get.

Were you feeding the Mazuri dry? I prefer not to do that. I saw a 100+ pound Galop that ate it dry, but I prefer to soak it for my tortoises.

 

[Sh3wulf]

Thanks Tom. I was feeding dry, but now am soaking it in future. I was worried soaking wasn't good for the mazuri, but chocking is more of a concern.

 

[ascott]

If you soak the pellets in just the right amount of water...there is no left over water and therefore no nutrients lost...moistened is good.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom. I was feeding dry, but now am soaking it in future. I was worried soaking wasn't good for the mazuri, but chocking is more of a concern.

It does make it go rancid faster than dry, but I only leave it out for a few hours anyway. Usually they eat it within the first few minutes.

 

[Tom]

I tried leaving it out dry for my large sulcatas and they didn't show much interest in it. My main problem was that those little tiny red ants seem to materialize from nowhere and swarm the dry pellets after a few hours. The wet stuff is gone so fast they don't have a chance.

 

[Tom]

I tried leaving it out dry for my large sulcatas and they didn't show much interest in it. My main problem was that those little tiny red ants seem to materialize from nowhere and swarm the dry pellets after a few hours. The wet stuff is gone so fast they don't have a chance.

Further, did you know that mammal feces is a primary food source in the wild for some tortoises? I speculate that one reason our torts like the Mazuri so much is that it simulates a big pile of... well you know... when its wet and mushy.

 

[mikeh]

I wouldn't feed mazuri or zoomed grassland dry. Both are desiccant like (mazuri more so) and may internally dehydrate the animal, if it doesnt drink good amount of water to compensate. I'd feed it moist.

 

[Sh3wulf]

Thanks everyone. Good information.