How does everyone keep & feed their radiated?

[johnreuk]

Hi,

As the title suggests, I was just wondering if people could share info on/post pictures of their radiated setups... particularly those that are unlucky enough to live in a climate (like me in the U.K) where they have to be kept indoors a lot...!

Also, what do people feed their radiated torts as the staple diet? And does anyone use much pelleted food with these guys? Haven't tried any yet with mine, but my indian star isn't fussed on pelleted food at all!

My radiated is mainly eating dandelion, hibiscus, plantain, sedum, opuntia, bittercress, pansy, sowthistle and vetch. He had a tiny bit of bell pepper the other day, which he seemed to enjoy.

Thanks!!!

John

 

[ben32hayt]

I do not have any pictures of my Radiata indoor enclosure.... Although I can give you a good care sheet on Radiata that I haven't seen posted on this forum just yet.

I give my Radiata some Mazuri tortoise diet twice a week but if you cannot get your hands on this pellet food in the U.K try out Zoo Med Grassland tortoise diet. You seem to be following the right guidelines as to feeding though.

Here is the Care Sheet written by Bill Zockian

 

[johnreuk]

Hi,

Thanks for the link to the care sheet, I've been interested to see it and wasn't able to find it anywhere, so really appreciate that!!

I have some Zoo Med grassland pellets already (that my indian star rejected!), so might try with a small amount of that. I have had mazuri in the past, I can order it online so might give it another go with my radiated.

Thanks!
John

 

[bouaboua]

This is where I kept my little baby Radiates.

 

[bouaboua]

We fed them all type of fresh grass from our yard. with zoomed grassland tortoise food and mazuri.

We kept them indoor most of the time during California winter also.


Couple of them just waking up in the morning....

This is fresh grass just cut from my own yard. They love it.

 

[pierce1979]

What about water, are you guys using strictly distilled water, or does anyone use tap water? So far I've only been using distilled water for everything.

 

[keepergale]

I didn't think distilled water was so good for tortoises. Some one else please chime in. Fresh clean water is all they need.


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[johnreuk]

We fed them all type of fresh grass from our yard. with zoomed grassland tortoise food and mazuri.

We kept them indoor most of the time during California winter also.

Hey,

Great pics of your setup, thanks! And absolutely lovely looking radiated torts!!

I keep mine on coco coir substrate also, though it has a layer of cypress mulch on top. What sort of lighting have you got in their viv??

I haven't tried mine with lawn grass yet - my star loves it, but they are a grassland species so not surprising. I will offer some to my radiated and see how he takes to it!

Thanks
John

 

[johnreuk]

What about water, are you guys using strictly distilled water, or does anyone use tap water? So far I've only been using distilled water for everything.

I wouldn't use distilled water for any tortoise (or reptile for that matter)... apart from in humidifiers/foggers...

I would advise treating the water with a reptile safe dechlorinator though, if you use tap water and it is treated.

 

[pierce1979]

Okay interesting, we have to use distilled for our pair of dart frogs, any particular reason why wouldn't use distilled water or say tap water for the Radiated?

 

[johnreuk]

Okay interesting, we have to use distilled for our pair of dart frogs, any particular reason why wouldn't use distilled water or say tap water for the Radiated?

Distilled water is just pure H2O, and nothing else..... no dissolved minerals or salts at all. Because of this, if an animal were to drink/bathe in distilled water, particularly amphibians, they will absorb more than is natural, due to the massive osmotic gradient created by the fact the distilled water has nothing dissolved in it, compared to the water in the animals body. Therefore its particularly important not to use distilled water with amphibians.

I do use tap water for my tortoises, you just have to neutralize the added chemicals. Bottled water would be another option, though I feel its unnecessary.

 

[bigred]

Fresh water is ok or drinking out of mud puddles is ok to