Is silica like a binding agent? Great information. Amazing how each species needs are so diverse...Equally amazing how blanket statements are made by pet shop folks about "all torts should eat..."

Silica is a mineral in most grasses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaceae
It make grass very hard to digest unless you have the right gut to do the job.

Danny

Silica is a mineral in most grasses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poaceae
It make grass very hard to digest unless you have the right gut to do the job.

Danny

Interesting link...the things we take for granted, the seemingly benign are not always as they appear
I have to start using the wikipedia more often...

Hi there again.

I just wanted to let you know we have started 'spot cleaning' his feet and plastron after he messes them up, and gone to soaking every other day.
We have also changed up his diet per suggestions more romain, fress grass (organic), moderated his radicchio intake, took out the collard greens and kale, less dandy greens, added butternut squash as a treat here and there as well and...
he is producing BM's about every 3 days and urates once a day

He still seems perky etc. Just less messy...thank you everyone!

This post was last modified: 12-27-2007 10:45 AM by Cam.

Sorry don't know How I missed this thread-So I am playing catch-up.

Ok, Kelly thanks I fixed it YES 90 SECONDS. Can you just imagine what it would be like after 90 minutes, Yuck.

Cam I am glad his new diet has helped and he is doing well.

Danny thanks for the info on the hay. I've now scratched that off my list for the Testudos.
But can you explain your statement "Testudos aren't made for digesting grasses. So I would stick to fresh grass, but no hay"
OK, so does this mean no timothy, orchard, Bermuda from Petco ie; dried. But is it OK to feed them clipped fresh Tall Fescue from my lawn (no fertilizer or pesticides used)?

This post was last modified: 12-27-2007 06:15 PM by Crazy1.

hum... i've never heard of this. to my knowledge collard greens were OK. why would they cause MBD? are they high on oxalic acid?

This is the list I was referring to:
http://www.turtlestuff.com/avoidthese.html

They are highlighted as being high on Oxalic Acid. But if '0' is okay then they are only at '.45' which seems a negligable amount unless that is all the tort is being fed?

what do you all think of the data?

indeed, I think the key is variety. collard greens are not that high on Oxalic Acid and have very good calcium & fiber values, so my bet is to feed them along with various weeds & other "safe" greens.

Yes fresh grass is the way to go Robyn. Dried grasses just concentrates everything.
Collard greens and for that matter anything that has an oxalic acid content is fine to feed once in a while, just not on a regular basis.

Danny