I Just Cant Stop It

[DoubleD1996!]

I know creeping ivy has been deemed unsafe for tortoises, but I just can't keep it all away. I essentially live in the middle of the woods, it's abundant, and no matter how much I remove it always comes back annually.


The torts eat them here and there (honestly not find of it, and have been for years. I do my best to stay on top of it), but I've reached the "it is what it is " point. Personally I don't believe we completely understand these animal's tolerance to certain plants, but I ways do my best as an error of caution.

I've never seen any negative signs, so fingers crossed.

 

[mark1]

i read one time that tortoises have evolved to eat plants toxic to mammals from having to compete with grazing mammals for food....i've seen box turtles eat poisonous mushrooms (amanita), and they appear to like them.....

 

[DoubleD1996!]

i read one time that tortoises have evolved to eat plants toxic to mammals from having to compete with grazing mammals for food....i've seen box turtles eat poisonous mushrooms (amanita), and they appear to like them.....

My box turtles do as well. I'm just going to let it be. I know it comes with backlash, I just won't promote them as edible as I'm not a scientist.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Maybe @RosemaryDW can comment on it's toxicity?

 

[RosemaryDW]

Maybe @RosemaryDW can comment on its toxicity?

I am going to agree with what was said above. If the only research we have is based on mammal studies it isn't particularly applicable to reptiles. That doesn't mean we should be careless about a food, just that mammal research shouldn't be considered a bible.

These tortoises have been eating the plant for years without obvious harm, we have some evidence in front of us. I'd let it be. Maybe keep it down some so it doesn't crowd out all the other plants, which OP is already doing.