Miners Lettuce?

[EppsDynasty]

I am trying to help a rescue in Pakistan with a Sulcata not eating. Miners Lettuce (or India Lettuce) is all they can get a hold of ... is this an OK Lettuce? I am really looking to others WAYYY more experienced than myself on this one. I would imagine in moderation it would suffice to get him eating but will look to the experts.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I think it should be fine. The only reason TTT advices against it is oxalic acids, which we nowadays know not to be that serious of a problem. https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=692&c=6

 

[wellington]

You could suggest squeezing some fruit juice onto the food. Watermelon, strawberry, not acidic type fruit like oranges, lemons or limes.
Just be sure they understand that fruit should not be fed, but this is only to get them eating. Using less and less juice as they get used to eating the main foods

 

[wellington]

Looking up Fruit and Veggies in India, they should be able to get grape leaf. Also okra in moderation

 

[Yvonne G]

The minors lettuce that grows here is an edible weed. But, like all edibles it shouldn:t be the only food. Any of the leafy greens Pakistanis eat would be ok to feed in moderation.

 

[wellington]

Looking up Fruit and Veggies in India, they should be able to get grape leaf. Also okra in moderation

Sorry, not sure where I got India from lol. But same fruits and veggies in both areas.

 

[EppsDynasty]

I just LOVE this place. Truly where can you get such answers to a question so fast and with true honesty! A pat on the back you all deserve!
O and Thank You.

 

[wellington]

Keep us posted on how it goes for the shelled one.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Sure will. It is such a great thing that a person in Pakistan can get help from others with such knowledge. As our Rescue grows so does our ability to reach other rescues with info and tools that have helped us all. It truly is 'About the Torts' and I'm ok with that, these Fascinating creatures deserve all us humans can do to help no matter the location on this rock called Earth.

 

[Southshore]

Looking up Fruit and Veggies in India, they should be able to get grape leaf. Also okra in moderation

Trying to find some grape leaf and also plant it. If I plant it it will take some time the leaves will fall off and take a while to grow back. In the mean time I will try to find a grape vine someplace from where I can pick leaves.

I have already planted a mulberry and 4 hibiscus. Mulberry has shed its leaves and will take a while to grow new ones.

Okra I can definitely get hold of and will try it. Is one small Okra OK every other day?

 

[RosemaryDW]

The foods we recommend here are basically what we can find in North America, you won't find many matches for India. But guess what! You actually have access to better foods than we do; at least you will if you aren't living in a crowded city. Take a look at the threads here: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/diet-chart.171474/#post-1685309 and good luck!

 

[RosemaryDW]

Okra I can definitely get hold of and will try it. Is one small Okra OK every other day?I

Depending on the size of your tortoise I'd say yes, at least for now. It's got a lot of calcium and pretty good calcium. Okra leaves are actually better if you can find them.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Superior Salad Patta / Green Lettuce Leaf / Hara Salad

Vishal Enterprises - Offering A Grade Pan India Superior Salad Patta / Green Lettuce Leaf / Hara Salad, Carton, 35 at Rs 38/kilogram in New Delhi, Delhi. Also find Leaf Vegetables price list | ID: 21386515291

m.indiamart.com

This is what is the most abundant
Anyone have any idea what this plant actually is or called?

 

[Len B]

Opuntia cactus is grown world wide now. May be able to find some, even if it has long spines the fruit doesn't. I've never had a sulcata turn the fruit down. Depending on the size of the tortoise is how it should be offered. For young ones I quarter it long ways into strips and remove the seeds if the seeds are to large for them to be swallowed safely. Some fruits outer skin is tuff before it ripens and by cutting the fruit open the tortoises can easily eat it from the inside out.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Thank You @Len B
Just trying to do my best to help a fellow rescuer. Great info for them is all we can do, the actual 'doing' has to be accomplished by them.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Superior Salad Patta / Green Lettuce Leaf / Hara Salad

Vishal Enterprises - Offering A Grade Pan India Superior Salad Patta / Green Lettuce Leaf / Hara Salad, Carton, 35 at Rs 38/kilogram in New Delhi, Delhi. Also find Leaf Vegetables price list | ID: 21386515291

m.indiamart.com

This is what is the most abundant
Anyone have any idea what this plant actually is or called?

It's just plain variety lettuce. "Green leaf" lettuce if you want to get fancy.

I didn't read carefully, I thought they were in India, not Pakistan. That lettuce is not native to Pakistan, I don't think? Are they looking to find something we regularly talk about on this forum or talk about; they don't need to! The advice is the same as I gave for India, they probably have better foods than we do if they look locally.

The leaves and stems of any gourd, marrow, melon or cucumber are good for tortoises. Pumpkin is on this list. Some of the squash or gourd itself every week.

Mustard leaf.

The leaves of any bean.

Dhanya/coriander; we call it cilantro in North America.

Methi, although that one might take a while to get eaten as it is very bitter.

It's okay to mix that lettuce in with these and it may be that lettuce is the first thing the tortoise will try that isn't fruit. But not as the primary diet long term; it's low in fiber and calcium relative to other foods.

As mentioned above squeezing or grating a little cucumber on a new food can make it more acceptable to the tortoise.

Good luck!