Fruit? Beak?

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Lol yes they can, but small amounts. I only give my tort fruit 2 times a month, small amounts like one slice of melon very small bite size enough for about 5 bites. You gotta think about it, in the wild they would find fruit and eat it, so why wouldn’t we give them fruit here in captivity???
 

TechnoCheese

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Lol yes they can, but small amounts. I only give my tort fruit 2 times a month, small amounts like one slice of melon very small bite size enough for about 5 bites. You gotta think about it, in the wild they would find fruit and eat it, so why wouldn’t we give them fruit here in captivity???

Actually, in the wild there’s almost no fruit at all. They eat broadleaf weeds.
 

daniellenc

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Actually, in the wild there’s almost no fruit at all. They eat broadleaf weeds.
I second this. Kale, spinach, collard and mustard greens are ok in moderation but should not be a staple. Fruit should also not make many appearances. There are many lists of great food here and help identifying safe weeds.
 
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Actually, in the wild there’s almost no fruit at all. They eat broadleaf weeds.
Really wow that’s very interesting! Mmm well take a good look at my torts pro pic that’s my Sheldon look at him, his beak and how dark he his, he’s definitely a male! Don’t cha think so?
 

TechnoCheese

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Really wow that’s very interesting! Mmm well take a good look at my torts pro pic that’s my Sheldon look at him, his beak and how dark he his, he’s definitely a male! Don’t cha think so?

Color and beak are in no way related to sex. If a beak is long, it just means it needs to be clipped.
 
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No really it’s his tale very long and he digs it into the ground a marks his territory! My sisters torts has a very short tale and she’s much larger and she’s female.
 

TechnoCheese

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Then what should be a good staple ? If not kale, Romain and collards???

Good staples are weeds, and grocery store foods should be a very small part of the diet, if in the diet at all. If weeds are scarce or unavailable, spring mix without the spinach, endive, and escarole are good options.
 
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Why I’m the world would I clip his precious little beak, that’s tortoise abuse in my opinion! Plus he would hide his little head in his shell so no way!
 

TechnoCheese

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Why I’m the world would I clip his precious little beak, that’s tortoise abuse in my opinion! Plus he would hide his little head in his shell so no way!

If a beak is too long, then it can keep them from eating, split, or even in extreme cases, detach itself from the jaw. It becomes necessary if the beak is too long.
 
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Oh gosh lol take a good look his beak is normal lol those would be extreme cases, I care too much about my tortoise for him to suffer as such. He’s just a little guy!
 

Yvonne G

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Lol yes they can, but small amounts. I only give my tort fruit 2 times a month, small amounts like one slice of melon very small bite size enough for about 5 bites. You gotta think about it, in the wild they would find fruit and eat it, so why wouldn’t we give them fruit here in captivity???
Because they do not eat fruit in the wild. Too much fruit causes a parasite bloom. Russian tortoises come from the steppe. There is no fruit on the steppe.
 
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Yvonne G

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Why I’m the world would I clip his precious little beak, that’s tortoise abuse in my opinion! Plus he would hide his little head in his shell so no way!
In the wild tortoises' beaks are trimmed naturally because of the food they eat and also scraping on rocks, etc. Some keepers feed soft diets or chopped food and the beak doesn't have a chance to be trimmed naturally. An overgrown beak makes it difficult for the tortoise to bite off his food. Do you consider it abuse to trim a baby's toenails and fingernails? Same thing. The beak is like a fingernail. No pain.
 
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In the wild tortoises' beaks are trimmed naturally because of the food they eat and also scraping on rocks, etc. Some keepers feed soft diets or chopped food and the beak doesn't have a chance to be trimmed naturally. An overgrown beak makes it difficult for the tortoise to bite off his food. Do you consider it abuse to trim a baby's toenails and fingernails? Same thing. The beak is like a fingernail. No pain.
Tortoises especially Russian torts are sensitive they are not going to let you hold their tiny head and clip their beak. Get real!
 

TriciaStringer

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Tortoises especially Russian torts are sensitive they are not going to let you hold their tiny head and clip their beak. Get real!
I just trimmed my Russian’s beak on Sunday. He sticks his head out to see what I have in my hand and I’m able to snip off a little. I’ve never had to hold his head. Here is Pepe freshly trimmed.
 

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