When you set up an enclosure think shallow ponds and marsh land. @Jacqui has a very nice outdoor enclosure.
Could the tortoises be after some kind of fungus or mold that is forming. Perhaps they can smell it forming even though we can not see it. Or perhaps even some kind of "fermentation" is occurring?Well observed, I’ve seen them eat wood on a few occasions. I’ve observed them eating dried leaves quite a lot too. If I put fresh greens in they don’t touch it for about 3 days.
Does the constant exposure to a wet environment increase the risk of "shell rot" or, in your experience, do they seem to be naturally resistant to fungal infections?When you set up an enclosure think shallow ponds and marsh land. @Jacqui has a very nice outdoor enclosure.
I have also discovered that bay leaves mold quickly.. cilantro seems to also.Shell rot in my opinion is caused by bacteria of something else rotting passing to the plastron.
I had one of my females that spent 20hrs a day in water. Never got shell rot. I had another that got shell rot from sitting on mouldy bay leaves. Turns out bayleaf mounds real easy.
On your list of foods from earlier, I noticed that no succulents were listed. Ive also noticed that none were listed in most of the other food recommendations for them that I found online. Do they show no interest in them?Take note, bayleaf, not basil. Don’t know why I wrote basil
I wonder what their primary source of fiber is in the wild..I’ve had some worrying times with these guys not eating greens. They are just not interested. I’ve starved them for weeks to try and get them to eat greens and failed.
Occasionally they eat dandelion and rocket. But prefer dried leaves.
My diet is, mushrooms, worms, slugs, snails, papaya, plums, banana, kiwi, mango, and mandarin. I just hope they drag down rocket and dandelion with the other foods, I occasionally give them catfood or chicks cut up in winter when slugs are dormant.
Compost bin provides worms.
They won’t even eat strawberries.
On average, how many eggs do your females lay at one time?I don’t supplement the hingebacks. No need if you feed live foods and fruit.
I offer cuttlebone too, which they chomp on from time to time.
I want to thank you again for answering my questions.They lay 2 to 4 eggs per clutch. 3 is the norm. I have one female that always lays 4. They lay 3 to 4 clutches per yr. I’ve not really bothered incubating them to be honest, but I think I need to be more serious and start incubating. Ive got a few clutches cooking and they look good for now.
I’ve had some worrying times with these guys not eating greens. They are just not interested. I’ve starved them for weeks to try and get them to eat greens and failed.
Occasionally they eat dandelion and rocket. But prefer dried leaves.
My diet is, mushrooms, worms, slugs, snails, papaya, plums, banana, kiwi, mango, and mandarin. I just hope they drag down rocket and dandelion with the other foods, I occasionally give them catfood or chicks cut up in winter when slugs are dormant.
Compost bin provides worms.
They won’t even eat strawberries.
When you set up an enclosure think shallow ponds and marsh land. @Jacqui has a very nice outdoor enclosure.
Hello Jacqui! I was really hoping you would see this thread[emoji1]Now mine love their strawberries. Lol
I would love to see a picture of it if you happen to have one.. I will ask very sweetly.. PRETTY PLEASE[emoji5]Why thank you!
Where was this image posted?When you set up an enclosure think shallow ponds and marsh land. @Jacqui has a very nice outdoor enclosure.