Ahoy,
My Juv. Aldabra (5"-6") arrived almost two weeks ago and I've been glued to it's enclosure during daytime hours observing it's activities and preferences.
Today is the first day I've seen it really get up and browse around for food the way my other tortoises do, except it's in fast forward. It reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer is in the Land of Chocolates, the tortoise quickly walks in a random direction taking a bite of whatever plant happens to be closest to it and then turns, takes a few more steps looks around takes another random bite...
It would stay in one place briefly if it found something it really liked... so far its hibiscus flowers, dandelion and bits of optuna cactus I scatter.
Yesterday I accidentally dropped a small amount of Alfalfa hay into the corner of the enclosure while walking past with a bunch (for another animal). Today I noticed him just staying in this one area eating something and searching carefully for more. Turns out it was this old dry hay. I've never seen a small tort show any interest in it before (I hadn't even considered offering it until he would be much larger).
So can you experienced folks give me your opinion on this (any reason not to give him more?) I don't want him to gorge on one food item especially at the expense of a more nutrient rich variety. But then on the other hand... it's grass right... in the wild they would have an unlimited supply. He has an unlimited supply of about 6 different types in my yard as well. What do you folks think?
I'll post some pics of the enclosure and the animal later today.
thanks.
Jeff
My Juv. Aldabra (5"-6") arrived almost two weeks ago and I've been glued to it's enclosure during daytime hours observing it's activities and preferences.
Today is the first day I've seen it really get up and browse around for food the way my other tortoises do, except it's in fast forward. It reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer is in the Land of Chocolates, the tortoise quickly walks in a random direction taking a bite of whatever plant happens to be closest to it and then turns, takes a few more steps looks around takes another random bite...
It would stay in one place briefly if it found something it really liked... so far its hibiscus flowers, dandelion and bits of optuna cactus I scatter.
Yesterday I accidentally dropped a small amount of Alfalfa hay into the corner of the enclosure while walking past with a bunch (for another animal). Today I noticed him just staying in this one area eating something and searching carefully for more. Turns out it was this old dry hay. I've never seen a small tort show any interest in it before (I hadn't even considered offering it until he would be much larger).
So can you experienced folks give me your opinion on this (any reason not to give him more?) I don't want him to gorge on one food item especially at the expense of a more nutrient rich variety. But then on the other hand... it's grass right... in the wild they would have an unlimited supply. He has an unlimited supply of about 6 different types in my yard as well. What do you folks think?
I'll post some pics of the enclosure and the animal later today.
thanks.
Jeff