Is brocoli bad for torts or can they have it once in while? I have one, Thelma, that really likes it. How do you get them to eat Collard greens, they really don't like that! They do however like cactus pads.

im very new to the whole tortoise scene but from what ive been reading, brocoli is bad for them, im not sure why though, but ive read they can have it every once inna while in small quantities.

I see no problem once in a great while as treat. Do you have a good source of cactus, if so that is a great source of nutrients. I'd suggest mixing collards with the cactus.

Hi,
Broccoli should only be given once in a while, no more than once a month. It as well as cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale and spinach bind the calcium in the plant so make it unavailable to your tortoise.
You can try Romaine, Green leaf and Red leaf lettuce, Escarole, Curly Endive, Chicory and Dandelion greens. Cactus pads are also excellent.
So are weeds, like these http://forums.shelledwarriors.co.uk/view...php?t=6800

Danny

Well then, I guess I will toss the broccoli in my fridge out. Thanks so much.

or you could eat it yourself!

or you could eat it yourself!

I thought about that before I tossed it. Ya know, there is more tort and turtle food in my fridge than people food.

What if it's dusted with an 'external source' of calcium?

So brocili is bad for them? shame my little guy loves it only the bristley part thou, y is it bad?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the oxalates that do the binding:

Spinach also has a high calcium content. However, the oxalate content in spinach binds with calcium decreasing its absorption. By way of comparison, the body can absorb about half of the calcium present in broccoli, yet only around 5% of the calcium in spinach. Oxalate is one of a number of factors that can contribute to gout and kidney stones. Equally or more notable factors contributing to calcium stones are: genetic tendency, high intake of animal protein, excess calcium intake, excess vitamin D, prolonged immobility, hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, and excess dietary fiber (Williams, 1993).

So you want to use veggies that have a high oxalate content, sparingly. It only binds the calcium in that serving of the veggie. It doesn't matter that that ONE meal doesn't include calcium. It only matters if you feed a high oxalate veggie all the time.

Yvonne