Hermann food
- Thread starter Natalie44
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Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Curly kale (4th picture), and mix on the first photo are fine. Not sure what's inside Italian salad, likely rucola (aka arugula aka rocket) - it's fine to feed too. Don't buy too much - one bag for a week is probably enough and you don't have to offer 100 different greens in one meal, just rotate the offerings. And add some "spice" - e.g. broadleaf plantain, dandelions and so on if you can find some outside.
Also check "Feeding" section here: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/ and this site https://thetortoisetable.org.uk (they also have a smartphone app, which is convenient for shopping and "weed hunting")
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Definitely check out the links alex has given you, the tortoise table definitely comes in handy🙂you could check out the wildflower section for lots of different weeds that are safe to feed, if you find an area you can source from that hasn’t been touched by fertilisers or pesticides it’s handy! There’s plenty of secluded spots to find, failing that, seeds online and plant your own😊
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Curly kale is part of the brassica family. Try to avoid feeding too many brassica plants too often, since they contain goitrogens.
Here is what the tortoise table has to say about them: "Goitrogens compromise thyroid activity by interfering with iodine uptake and this could cause liver and kidney lesions. Thyroid hormones are associated with skin cells, growth and metabolism so any interference with this can lead to problems with shedding and cause slow growth. Goitrogenic glycoside can be found in plants of the Brassica and related families, including Cabbage, Kale, Spinach and some hot peppery-flavoured plants like Wild Mustard, and can also contribute towards the formation of kidney and bladder stones."
I recommend finding some good pellets like Mazuri or Agrobs to supplement for fiber, especially in the winter when you can't get fibrous weeds from outdoors.
On the tortoise table there are a few good articles to help you build up a healthy diet:
Understanding tortoise diets: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/understanding-diets/
A healthy diet: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/healthy-diets/
Supplementation: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/minerals-and-supplements/
Harmful properties to look out for: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/harmful-properties/
Here is what the tortoise table has to say about them: "Goitrogens compromise thyroid activity by interfering with iodine uptake and this could cause liver and kidney lesions. Thyroid hormones are associated with skin cells, growth and metabolism so any interference with this can lead to problems with shedding and cause slow growth. Goitrogenic glycoside can be found in plants of the Brassica and related families, including Cabbage, Kale, Spinach and some hot peppery-flavoured plants like Wild Mustard, and can also contribute towards the formation of kidney and bladder stones."
I recommend finding some good pellets like Mazuri or Agrobs to supplement for fiber, especially in the winter when you can't get fibrous weeds from outdoors.
On the tortoise table there are a few good articles to help you build up a healthy diet:
Understanding tortoise diets: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/understanding-diets/
A healthy diet: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/healthy-diets/
Supplementation: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/minerals-and-supplements/
Harmful properties to look out for: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/harmful-properties/
All of those are fine, but it is best to avoid the expensive grocery store food and feed free weeds, leaves and flowers.
If you must use grocery store foods, they need to be amended to add calcium, fiber, variety and nutrition. All of this is explained in the diet section of the care sheet that Alex linked above.
I'm not familiar with "turtle vine". I looked it up on this website, and it says it is poisonous:
Scroll down. Its near the bottom:
Turtle Vine aka Callisia Repens: How To Grow And Care For It
Look at our guide to growth and care of Turtle Vine so that you can ensure everything it needs, and if you don't have one, you will surely get it.
positivebloom.com
Thank you for that- so strange though as I found the plant on the tortoise den website and says it’s safe lolI'm not familiar with "turtle vine". I looked it up on this website, and it says it is poisonous:
Scroll down. Its near the bottom:
Turtle Vine aka Callisia Repens: How To Grow And Care For It
Look at our guide to growth and care of Turtle Vine so that you can ensure everything it needs, and if you don't have one, you will surely get it.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Yeah on some of those sites I’ve seen them selling moss too, idk why😣
For the most part the variety they offer is great, but definitely always double check each plant’s safety👍
Yea I’ll always double check. I just assumed because it’s a well known website for tortoises they would know their stuff…..maybe not 🤷🏻♀️
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Yeah same! That one has surprised me tbh! When I’m going on there I’m always looking for a particular plant so I’ve never really had to look at their entire variety, I think the best way to avoid stuff like that is asking around on here what common plants people put in for their Hermanns and then going to the sites with plants already in mind🙂
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I suppose to some degree it’s the same as going into what are meant to be ‘reputable reptile stores’ and they’re selling all the wrong stuff mixed with some good stuff, we have to rely on ourselves for the research on what’s right/wrong, sucks that’s how it is when we should be able to trust them but at least we have this community on here🥰
The thing is- I’ve tried getting the popular ones that everyone seems to go for but they’re sold out on the websites that sell organic plants 😑
Very true that
grateful for this community!
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Yeah that’s the trouble because they’re so popular😣best to keep an eye out, one of mine is currently out of stock and now the company is one break so won’t be shipping till the 24th🙃
Spider plants and pothos are very easy to propagate if you can find a friend, neighbor or family member that has one.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I’ve always got SO many spider babies I’m propagating in water! My mother plant is a good few years old now and is constantly having them!
Best thing you can do Natalie is get your hands on a spider plant that’s been in safe soil, let it get established outside the enclosure to serve as the mother plant and have a never ending supply! They’re great! Once the babies are a good size you simply cut off their stem from the mother, let them sit in water for a few weeks(keep refreshing the water)and you’ll see roots start to grow at the bottom, once the roots are a decent length pop then into some safe soil, drench in water when first potted so the plant doesn’t go into shock from water to soil lol
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Tortoise Table lists this plant (also known as "creeping inch") as moderately safe. Both TTT and the article linked mention that plant is unsafe due to presence of calcium oxalate crystals. They are not safe for mammals to consume and can cause skin rash and irritation however tortoises eat them just fine. The plant is not poisonous per se.I'm not familiar with "turtle vine". I looked it up on this website, and it says it is poisonous:
Scroll down. Its near the bottom:
Turtle Vine aka Callisia Repens: How To Grow And Care For It
Look at our guide to growth and care of Turtle Vine so that you can ensure everything it needs, and if you don't have one, you will surely get it.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Some interesting insight as always Alex!
I’d probably personally opt to air on the side of caution with that one and not use it but that’s just me
Anastasia 22
Member
Unpleasant side of getting greens from grocery stores is wax. They wax even organics. Unfortunately.
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