Hermans tortoise diet

Diane Berner

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I work at petsmart and try to make sure the tortoises at my store are taken care of as well as i can considering the limitations that there are at these type of places (pet stores). I have a red foot but right now we just got two small 4" hermans tortoises. What is a proper diet for them?
 

JoesMum

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The diet of Hermann's is leafy greens. They cannot digest sugars properly, so no fruit, tomato, bell pepper or carrot.

Ideally the greens are weeds like dandelion rather than supermarket greens
 

Rue

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I'd buy the salad mixes..with arugula, radicchio, kale, etc. Maybe add in some watercress when you can. This is probably the easiest to buy and keep on hand and for other employees to use. Romaine is fine too. Then, if you can, bring weeds from home to add. Sprinkle ReptiCalcium with vitamin D3 twice a week. Variety is important.
 

Kapidolo Farms

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From your store's shelf, I'd suggest ZooMed's Grassland pellets. If they resist, you can use a small % of the pretty pets, and mix it up such that they eat the Grassland. These pellets should be somewhat moistened. Also, less favorable IMO is the Mazuri LS. Also should be moistened.
 

Rue

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Mine won't eat the ZooMed. She spits it out. It is rather funny...and I am still trying...maybe one day.
 

Diane Berner

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Thanks for all the information. I will use it and pass it on to everyone so that when they're sold they get the proper care.
 

Rue

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Once purchased..I hope the owners are up to providing the best care. I looked at the Petsmart care sheet...not that good...so if you can add to it that would be great. How much fresh produce can you buy? I know there are budgets and limits in place.
 

JoesMum

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Thanks for all the information. I will use it and pass it on to everyone so that when they're sold they get the proper care.
Can you advise any purchasers that they shouldn't live as a pair.

The same applies to any species of tort. They are solitary creatures. They don't want, need or particularly like company. They don't get lonely; another tort is competition for food and territory. Tortoise fights can be bloody, but they're also expert mental bullies.

You always have a dominant tort.. with a pair that translates into bully and victim
 
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Diane Berner

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I can afford to buy anything they need. Petsmart doesn't pay for this. I typically spend about 10.00 2 or 3 times a month for veggies for all the animals. I'll keep an eye to see if there is any fighting going on in the small cage they are in. I have already informed all my co-workers that tortoises don't like friends. We typically sell the russians so I know that this is true.
 

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