Pellets for Sulcata

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
I went thru a few varieties of pellets out there and made a list which I would feed to a sulcata and which I would not. Not a complete list, just ones I have looked at. Just an FYI if you are interested.

Marion Zoological Red Tortoise Sticks - NO
Nature Zone Tortoise Bites - NO
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food - Yes
RepCal Maintenance Formula - NO
ZooMed Gourmet Tortoise Food - Yes
Mazuri - Yes
Mazuri L.S. - Yes
Zilla Land Turtle and Tortoise - NO
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Oh come on man!!! You've got to give us some insight into the reasons for the yes's and no's. :)

In general I agree with your list, but I have not tried the Rep-Cal stuff or the Marion sticks. What did you not like about those?
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Didn't know anyone would care why.

RepCal - animal protein sources
Marion - too much sucrose and sugar beet
 

jaizei

Unknown Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Messages
9,056
Location (City and/or State)
Earth
Why is the important part.

How does the sugar content of Marion compared to Mazuri?
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
It is a harder comparison because they don't outright tell you. However, using a bit of comparison of the other ingredients and the final mix of nutrients, it looks like the sugar content of the sucrose by volume is considerably higher than sugar in the cane molasses. Which is why I don't like beet pulp, it requires extra sugar to be palatable. Molasses is higher in minerals as well.
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Pretty Pets Tortoise Food
Small Tortoise - Yes
Large Tortoise - NO​
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Didn't know anyone would care why.

RepCal - animal protein sources
Marion - too much sucrose and sugar beet
Don't agree with you there, Brian. Been using Rep Cal for over 25 years, and love it. Cholecalciferol is the only "animal protein" in Rep Cal, and that must be what you are referring to. Actually it is also in Mazuri or any good pellet - as that is Vitamin D3. How are you going to get dietary D3 without using "animal protein" since D3 is made by exposing Dehydrocholestrol (your animal protein) to UV light? This is done in a lab, vs naturally done in the skin. Rep Cal simply gives more detail in their ingredients and correctly labels their D3 as activated animal sterol.
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Don't agree with you there, Brian. Been using Rep Cal for over 25 years, and love it. Cholecalciferol is the only "animal protein" in Rep Cal, and that must be what you are referring to. Actually it is also in Mazuri or any good pellet - as that is Vitamin D3. How are you going to get dietary D3 without using "animal protein" since D3 is made by exposing Dehydrocholestrol (your animal protein) to UV light? This is done in a lab, vs naturally done in the skin. Rep Cal simply gives more detail in their ingredients and correctly labels their D3 as activated animal sterol.
Actually, I am not referring to D3 at all, and it is not a source of protein. It is the Poultry Byproduct Meal listed in the ingredients I do not like.

The source of D3 doesn't effect my decision at all, although they could get it from lichens instead.
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Actually, I am not referring to D3 at all, and it is not a source of protein. It is the Poultry Byproduct Meal listed in the ingredients I do not like.

The source of D3 doesn't effect my decision at all, although they could get it from lichens instead.
Unfortunately, Lichen, or any plant based vitamin D is vitamin D2 and not suitable for reptiles as they cannot utilize it.
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Looking at it again, maybe I have an incorrect ingredient list. The one I found is below, but looking at a picture of label, maybe something is off....

Rep-Cal Tortoise Food is formulated to ensure proper growth and health by providing complete and balanced nutrition. It is a veterinarian recommended food containing natural plant and fruit ingredients tortoises love.

  • 100% complete daily nutrition with fruit for Tortoises
  • Fortified with vitamins and minerals like calcium and Vitamin D3
  • Tested successfully for tortoises by reptile veterinarians

Feeding Directions: Feed every morning: Offer slightly more food than your tortoise can eat in a day, and allow your pet access to its food for the entire daylight period. Be sure to empty and clean the dish at the end of each day. Feed on a plate or other flat surface: We recommend a plate or other clean, flat surface because tortoises have difficulty picking up food from deep bowls.

Have water available at all times: Your tortoise should have access at all times to a shallow bowl containing fresh, clean water. Also, your tortoise needs to be soaked in shallow warm water: two times weekly for adults; three to four times weekly for juveniles. Pellets can be moistened in water or fruit juice before feeding: Some tortoises find that the softer soaked pellets are easier to pick up.

Ingredients: Ground Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry Byproduct Meal, Soybean Meal, Soy Hulls, Dried Apple Pomace, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Ascorbic Acid, Choline Chloride, Dried Mango, Dried Papaya, Dried Strawberry, Vegetable Oil, Methionine Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Activated Animal Sterol (Source of Vitamin D3), Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (Source of Vitamin K activity), Cobalt Carbonate, Inositol, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Folic Acid, Artificial Color, Natural Flavor.

Guaranteed Analysis:Crude Protein (min) - 28.0%
Crude Fat (min) - 2.0%
Crude Fiber (max) - 12.0%
Moisture (max) - 12.0%
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Unfortunately, Lichen, or any plant based vitamin D is vitamin D2 and not suitable for reptiles as they cannot utilize it.

No, lichens actually produce D3. You can find info online.
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Actually, I am not referring to D3 at all, and it is not a source of protein. It is the Poultry Byproduct Meal listed in the ingredients I do not like.

The source of D3 doesn't effect my decision at all, although they could get it from lichens instead.
And... I don't see poultry Byproduct meal listed anywhere in the ingredients.

If I may make an observation..
You tend to chide others for being too convinced their way is the only way and treating others who don't follow their way as stupid. But most all I see here will most often back up what they are saying with reasons, so we - as intelligent people ourselves - can make a decision about the relative strength of the suggestions / advice given. I assume those reading posts here are intelligent people who are looking to better understand how to care for their tortoises. Suggestions given with information to judge its relative merit is way more meaningful to me. What if the tortoise table for example, simply said YES or NO when you looked up a plant for input on its value as food? Wouldn't help us much, as many of the "problems" listed are in need of being weighed over the other benefits it may have, or how it is fitting into the whole diet you are feeding.
IMG_3461.JPG
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
The site I got it from must have mixed it up with another version. I think this is actually correct. Is this what you have, Mark?

Rep-Cal Tortoise food is formulated to ensure your tortoise's proper growth and health. Recommended by veterinarians, it contains the natural plant and fruit ingredients your tortoise craves. This complete and balanced diet may be fed daily and moistened with water or fruit juice if desired.

Ingredients:
Ground Corn, Soy Hulls, Soybean Meal, Wheat Germ, Dried Apple Pomace, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Ascorbic Acid, Choline Chloride, Dried Mango, Dried Papaya, Dried Strawberry, Vegetable Oil, Methionine Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Activated Animal Sterol (Source of Vitamin D3), Menadione Dimethylpyrimidionol Bisulfite (source of Vitamin K Activity), Cobalt Carbonate, Inositol, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Folic Acid, Artificial Color, Natural flavor.

Guaranteed Analysis:

Crude Protein (min.) 16.0%
Crude Fat (min.) 1.0%
Crude Fiber (max.) 18.0%
Moisture (max.) 12.0%
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Hmm, nope that doesn't match either. However, minus the Poultry Byproduct Meal, I would change to a YES. Is it possible for a moderator or admin to pop in there and change Rep Cal to a Yes?

And... I don't see poultry Byproduct meal listed anywhere in the ingredients.

If I may make an observation..
You tend to chide others for being too convinced their way is the only way and treating others who don't follow their way as stupid. But most all I see here will most often back up what they are saying with reasons, so we - as intelligent people ourselves - can make a decision about the relative strength of the suggestions / advice given. I assume those reading posts here are intelligent people who are looking to better understand how to care for their tortoises. Suggestions given with information to judge its relative merit is way more meaningful to me. What if the tortoise table for example, simply said YES or NO when you looked up a plant for input on its value as food? Wouldn't help us much, as many of the "problems" listed are in need of being weighed over the other benefits it may have, or how it is fitting into the whole diet you are feeding.

I don't post here thinking about what has merit to you. Sorry. Sometimes people what a simple Yes/ No, Go/ No Go type of information. They can chose to trust it or not. If you read any newbie post, you will notice quite a few that only skim this info, no deep study. I wrote it for them.

Others may want to debate. They can do so. Or people can do their own research and make their own decisions. Either way, I am not here to please anyone in particular or conform to anyone else's idea of a relevant post.
 

Markw84

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
5,041
Location (City and/or State)
Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
Hmm, nope that doesn't match either. However, minus the Poultry Byproduct Meal, I would change to a YES. Is it possible for a moderator or admin to pop in there and change Rep Cal to a Yes?



I don't post here thinking about what has merit to you. Sorry. Sometimes people what a simple Yes/ No, Go/ No Go type of information. They can chose to trust it or not. If you read any newbie post, you will notice quite a few that only skim this info, no deep study. I wrote it for them.

Others may want to debate. They can do so. Or people can do their own research and make their own decisions. Either way, I am not here to please anyone in particular or conform to anyone else's idea of a relevant post.

So isn't this post an excellent example of why your method is then dangerous? You had Rep Cal wrong. So the person who just wants the yes or no would look this up and see Rep Cal is no good. If you were answering a question, a different standard may apply, but you are posting a new thread - presumably for those who want to look up the suitability of a pellet food - that someone can go to and get a definitive answer.
 

BrianWI

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
1,001
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
So isn't this post an excellent example of why your method is then dangerous? You had Rep Cal wrong. So the person who just wants the yes or no would look this up and see Rep Cal is no good. If you were answering a question, a different standard may apply, but you are posting a new thread - presumably for those who want to look up the suitability of a pellet food - that someone can go to and get a definitive answer.

That is the best part... editing can be done, I didn't carve it in stone! I can let this thread shake out, then make another. The miracles of modern technology.
 

WILLPW

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2017
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Orlando, Florida
So to clarify, Rep-Cal is a good pellet to use? I used to use it and my tort loved it, but I switched to Mazuri due to the price difference and the fact i can buy it in a 20 lb bag but he doesn't seem to eat it half the time. The smell of the Rep-Cal was a fruitier smell and I think that's what attracted him. IS there a smell spray to attract him to mazuri of any sort? or should I switch back to Rep-Cal?
 

New Posts

Top