I am familiar with the lists of "good" and "bad" foods for my russian tortoise (hatchling), but I am curious as to if there is a list out there that may rank the foods as so I can choose to feed him more of the better choices and maybe a little less of the good but not great foods. Not sure that I have the time or patience to look up the nutrient ratios for food either. I am trying to vary his diet, and the main stumbling block I have come across so far is the large quantity a lot of produce is sold in--we're slowly learning what can be bought in small quantities, what can be bought cheap enough I don't feel bad if we throw some out, and what we may even eat ourselves. Organic Spring mix sold by the pound is awesome because I can pick up fresh twice a week and it has a large variety of greens. I don't think I should just feed him that though!
Trying to grow the russian tortoise mix and dandelion seeds from Carolina Pet Supply (indoors, but it's still too cold and dreary here), but all I've had grown so far is Chia. Trevor will eat that stuff up, but I assume it doesn't have a huge nutrient value. I heard everything should sprout within two weeks if it's going to, and it's about that time. I definitely don't have a green thumb though--I've even killed a catus before.
So far my little guy has eaten everything we've put out for him. He definitely eats some stuff A LOT faster than others, and has the tendency to leave some stuff. I found a grocery store near me that sells organic spineless cactus pads for $2.99/pound. I pad was about 40 cents, so I was thrilled. Trevor loved it once I cut it up thin enough. Is this more of a treat food? I have heard about its calcium benefits but never heard to limit it (like I'd do for carrot or a bit of apple peel).
Odd question: there are pieces in the spring mix I buy that look like Dandelion greens (I looked up a picture of them on Google). Could it be? I saw Dandelion greens packaged separately in a store once and now I can't remember where--I already looked back at the stores we frequent and no luck, so I guess I'll have to special order them, etc. I've heard stores will stock them if you ask.
How's wheatgrass as a source of nutrition? It's another food that Trevor has never passed up. I have a pot of it in his enclosure for humidity and aesthetics (it's up too high for him--I think anything potted is up too high for him right now though, lol). I know there are several varieties of it and I don't know what kind it is; it's the "normal" looking stuff from the organic grocer.
Any suggestions for resources besides russiantortoise.org, ATP, tortoisetrust, etc?
Thanks!
Trying to grow the russian tortoise mix and dandelion seeds from Carolina Pet Supply (indoors, but it's still too cold and dreary here), but all I've had grown so far is Chia. Trevor will eat that stuff up, but I assume it doesn't have a huge nutrient value. I heard everything should sprout within two weeks if it's going to, and it's about that time. I definitely don't have a green thumb though--I've even killed a catus before.
So far my little guy has eaten everything we've put out for him. He definitely eats some stuff A LOT faster than others, and has the tendency to leave some stuff. I found a grocery store near me that sells organic spineless cactus pads for $2.99/pound. I pad was about 40 cents, so I was thrilled. Trevor loved it once I cut it up thin enough. Is this more of a treat food? I have heard about its calcium benefits but never heard to limit it (like I'd do for carrot or a bit of apple peel).
Odd question: there are pieces in the spring mix I buy that look like Dandelion greens (I looked up a picture of them on Google). Could it be? I saw Dandelion greens packaged separately in a store once and now I can't remember where--I already looked back at the stores we frequent and no luck, so I guess I'll have to special order them, etc. I've heard stores will stock them if you ask.
How's wheatgrass as a source of nutrition? It's another food that Trevor has never passed up. I have a pot of it in his enclosure for humidity and aesthetics (it's up too high for him--I think anything potted is up too high for him right now though, lol). I know there are several varieties of it and I don't know what kind it is; it's the "normal" looking stuff from the organic grocer.
Any suggestions for resources besides russiantortoise.org, ATP, tortoisetrust, etc?
Thanks!