Thistles

Status
Not open for further replies.

Itort

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
2,343
Location (City and/or State)
Iowa
Yes, mine eat the entire plant with gusto. Wear gloves when collecting.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,483
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I feed them here too. I have also fed milk thistle, sow thistle and a couple of other related ones.
 

Itort

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
2,343
Location (City and/or State)
Iowa
TinyGreenNinja said:
Even the leaves? Will they hurt his mouth? X
No, they don't seem to have any problems with thorny plants. Mine eat opuntia cactus, roses, and even nettles with no problems.
 

TinyGreenNinja

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Lancashire, UK
I tried him with them and it looked like one of the leaves got stuck and he was gagging and trying to move his claws to his mouth. Maybe ill cut the sharp edges off just for peace of mind x
 

Dar's mum

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
55
Location (City and/or State)
SW England, UK
Wow, how small is your tort? Hope he didn't get injured inside his mouth... :(
My Darwin is about 7cm shell length and he didn't touch spikey thistle to start with. So I only feed him young, softer leaves or if it's too spikey, I trimmed off sharp bits and chopped it smaller, then now he loves it! He still prefers milk thistle which isn't spikey, so try find it in your garden or in a field, too! :)



Sent from my C6603 using TortForum mobile app
 

GeoTerraTestudo

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
3,311
Location (City and/or State)
Broomfield, Colorado
My guys will eat thistles that are smaller and softer, but they'll give older ones a pass if there are other plants around that are easier to eat.
 

TinyGreenNinja

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2013
Messages
11
Location (City and/or State)
Lancashire, UK
Hes actually quite big, I've not measured him yet though. He seems to be ok, it came unstuck and he just carried on eating lol. I just don't want it to happen when I'm not there and sometuig bad happen, I'd never forgive myself. Just gave him the flower bits today with some rose petals and he's gobbled it all up :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

New Posts

Top