Ipil-ipil: good food or bad food?

[doctrin13th]

Ipil-ipil in Wikipedia

Here in the Philippines, we call it ipil-ipil. Its leaves are like that of the tamarinds'. According to Wiki, "it is used for a variety of purposes, such as firewood, fiber and livestock fodder.
It is used as fodder for goats here.
Can it also be a staple for a sulcata tortoise since it is high in fiber?
I find sulcatas (esp. the young ones) prefer other food than grass?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi doctrin13th:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know your name?

The ipil-ipil tree is a type of mimosa. The seeds have a mild toxicity, but the leaves would be ok to feed to your sulcata. I have a mimosa tree in my sulcata pen, but he doesn't eat any of the fallen leaves or flowers.

 

[ascott]

I have a couple mimosa trees on the property and my CDTs love the leaves, I do not offer the the pink puff blooms though.

 

[doctrin13th]

Thank you very much emysemys for the warm welcome!
I'm Kim Santiago, from the Philippines.
I have my sulcata for almost a year or less now.

Thank you for your insights and comments and to ascott as well.

Can mimosa leaves be a staple?

 

[Yvonne G]

No, I wouldn't use them every day.