Confused on clover

[diamondbp]

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?catID=96

Should I avoid feeding my young tortoises white clover? It's so plentiful this time of year in Louisian and they seem to really like it. I've been feeding it sparingly along with their other weeds/grasses plus their typical romaine/&mazuri and they seem to seek the clover out in the piles of grass to eat first.

But according to tortoisetable I should be careful since clover can cause photosensitive reactions.

I'm just wanting to hear others opinions on clover and their experiences with it. Has anyone had negative experiences?

 

[Tom]

I read the blurb there. I wouldn't worry about this.

I've been feeding clover to all of my tortoises since the early 90's. All types of clover, and all ages and species of tortoise. It has never caused me any problems.

I fed out frost damaged clover to all my torts all last winter and had the best fertility and hatch rates ever.

 

[Jacqui]

Mine love it and they graze (or I collect it for them) all the time. I have had no issues with it.

 

[diamondbp]

Ok thanks for the great input. They have plenty of it available

---

While I'm thinking of it, is it possible to over feed your tortoises with dandelion?? They are starting to grow all over so I've been mixing that in as well

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

One thing that I remember reading, but I am not sure which type of clover, and I cannot find where (but will, to share) is that DRY clover is toxic. Fresh is okay but something happens when it dries and it because not good. Again, I must find that so we know which clover it is and if it is of any concern to us with tortoises. It may have been a clover that horses will eat. Will look for ...

 

[ascott]

is it possible to over feed your tortoises with dandelion

In my opinion, no. There are so many positive attributes to the offering of this food that if offered with other items, it is a beautifully perfect food.

---

is it possible to over feed your tortoises with dandelion

In my opinion, no. There are so many positive attributes to the offering of this food that if offered with other items, it is a beautifully perfect food.

 

[Tom]

While I'm thinking of it, is it possible to over feed your tortoises with dandelion?? They are starting to grow all over so I've been mixing that in as well

Well yes... sort of.

If they ate all dandelion and nothing but dandelion everyday, and nothing else ever, then yes, I think you would be overfeeding dandelion. If its mixed in with lots of other stuff and only constitutes a relatively small overall percentage of the diet, you should be fine. A full meal of nothing but dandelions 2 or 3 times a week would be fine in my opinion, if they were getting other things on the other days.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

I agree with Tom here. It is easy to become over reliant on dandelion, and although it has great benifits, the ultimate goal in feeding our tortoises is to provide a varied diet that contains many differing foods.

 

[Jacqui]

I agree with Tom here. It is easy to become over reliant on dandelion, and although it has great benifits, the ultimate goal in feeding our tortoises is to provide a varied diet that contains many differing foods.

I agree with Tom and Ken. Even the best food is not complete or has a bad fault to it, which is why variety is key.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

A rainbow a day, or five shades of green, at least! : )

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Re: RE: Confused on clover

A rainbow a day, or five shades of green, at least! : )

Hahaha!

 

[Jacqui]

A rainbow a day, or five shades of green, at least! : )

Doesn't need to even be more then one variety each day. Like if somebody with one tortoise buys a turnip bunch at the store. They can feed just turnip greens til it's used up. Next shopping trip they need to pick something different however, like dandelions. Use those up and then perhaps it's a big pad of cactus they pickup. It's overall variety, not every day that you really need to worry about. Of course variety each day is much better.

 

[ascott]

In my opinion, no. There are so many positive attributes to the offering of this food that if offered with other items, it is a beautifully perfect food.

Like I said () perfect food-- offered with other items...not many other foods offer the perfect benefits this one does...