I guess I have never given this too much thought and since reading some posts between Kelly and Terry I have started to wonder if I am overfeeding my torts. Is there a guide on how much they should be getting? I have always just kind of went with my gut. But now I am not so sure. Thanks!
Usually its what they will eat in 20 minutes, throw out the rest Dee.
I know it's hard! I have four RT's in one enclosure. When I put the food in, some are sometimes still sleeping. I can wake them up and put them by the food, but they like to bask while they wake up, so won't eat immediately. So if I do the 20 minute thing, someone like Varda will eat the whole 20 minutes, while Roland will be basking and just start eating the last two minutes or something. So I tend to keep food in there longer, or just feed them an amount that I think is okay... although then still someone might eat most of it before the next one realizes the food is out!
Well, I guess I am doing pretty well then. Most everyone comes running when I go in the room and they are ready to eat. My newest Russian is still a bit shy about eating but is getting better. I leave his food in. My hatchlings I keep putting in front of the food until I see them eating. It does not seem like they eat alot but they are gaining weight so I guess they are getting enough. I guess its just those baby bellies.
I have a black greek and I feed him twice a day depending on how much he eats. If he ate all of his breakfast, when I get home from work, I feed him his dinner. If there is still a lot left from the morning, I usually wait till he finishes it. I have found that with some veggies Titan loves to wait till they are dried out for some reason- he does this with his carrots. So when I see some of those and greens left over from the morning, in the evening I just put some extra dandelion on his plate
I'm short, about 5'1, and I usually cut enough lettuce and veggies to fit in one of my hands. If I put it in a measuring cup, I would say its about a 1/4 cup?
I guess I have never given this too much thought and since reading some posts between Kelly and Terry I have started to wonder if I am overfeeding my torts. Is there a guide on how much they should be getting? I have always just kind of went with my gut. But now I am not so sure. Thanks!
You will know when they are eating too much when you see them starting to develp "thunder thighs". I have been fussed at by the vet about a couple of the Gophers & some of my Boxes getting so fat they wouldn't fit their legs into the shell!
I have a question? Is it ok to feed corn on the cob to Russians, RF, & Sulcatas? They all love it but I don't know if it is healthy for them. I give a half ear as a treat about once a month when it is in season.
Patsy
Hi Patsy, I didn't see anyone respond to the corn thing and I am not sure either, but I will say I give them corn on the cobs in during the summer and they come running. Jack my RF eats every kernnel. I don't ever have it here except summer so it's just seasonal for the torts.
Na
Giving sweet corn as treat shouldn't be bad the way you describe Patsy. Giving it as staple, no.