cactus pad

[my4everlover]

i just bought a pot of Optunia cactus for my tort. How much do i need to gv it? I just chop n gv it or the who pad? how to get rid of the torns or prickers ?

 

[Shelly]

If you got rid of the Prickers, there would be no forum left.

 

[Tom]

I would start with small amounts mixed in with his other normal foods. I only feed it once or twice a week.

Even the spineless variety has little tiny spines, so I either singe them off over the stove or with a lighter and then rinse them heavily while I wipe off any remaining spines with a heavy rubber glove.

 

[tortoisenerd]

I cut the stickers out with a knife and them slice it in tort-size bites just to make sure I don't have issues, because my tort likes to choke down foods instead of tear them off if he has trouble! I give a serving about 1/4 the size of my tort's head each day until it is gone (about 2 weeks), then don't feed it for a month or two. If it gives your tort the runs, it was too much! I store it in the fridge wrapped in a paper towel changed about every other day to keep it dry, then in a ziploc baggie.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I use a scrubby pad and scrub off the spines. Use good gloves though - those spines hurt and are hard to get out!

 

[Laura]

Ive used the stove to singe them off.. there are different types of cactus.. some have more spines then others..

 

[DeanS]

I give it out 3 - 5 days a week...rule of thumb...a pad per animal. I run the food processor for 4 or 5 pulses and serve it to the yearlings as such...the adults get the whole pad (hand fed).