Quick correction, the high starch diet lead to an increase in plastron AND carapace growth rate. I believe they may have just been using width as a measure of growth, and did not find that the width was larger at the same shell length as the high fiber diet. I can't seem to find anywhere they clarify. Need to see if I can log in through my school and get the full study for free.While debating someone on the quality of their redfoot's diet, I came across this recent study on the effects of starch and fiber on pyramiding in redfooted tortoises. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1095643321002397
As I expected, it found that there was no correlation, but that's not what interests me. This study found that tortoises fed a high starch diet had a lower bone density, lower mineral content, and increased plastron width, as well as plastron width growth rates. Additionally, tortoises fed a high fiber diet had a higher digestibility coefficient for protein.
Very useful source for anyone trying to explain the importance of a high fibered diet and avoiding grocery store foods for tortoises.
Speaking of grocery store foods, one of the main aspects of tortoise diet I see people reference that I still don't understand is phosphorus ratio. What specifically is phosphorus used for in a tortoise, and how is it processed/absorbed? (I.E in the liver, in enterocytes, denatured by acids in the stomach, etc.) It would really help me out if someone could give me a run down. Is phosphorus just one of the minerals you would find in reptile vitamin supplements?
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