Mouse feeding

[Bera]

Hi, does anyone know anything about feeding tortoises mouse? I remember when i worked in a pet store we would feed red foot and greek tortoises baby mouse. But that was just what my boss told me to do. I searched a bit about it back then and i read red foots are omnivores. What about greek tortoises?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

For redfoots a pinky or two in a lifetime is okay. Greek tortoises are herbivores, they should not be fed animal protein on purpose.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Goodness no. You had bad and outdated information. That's common with pet stores so don't knock yourself out over it.

An outside tortoise might chomp down on a random snail, they should never be fed animal protein directly.

 

[TammyJ]

Goodness no. You had bad and outdated information. That's common with pet stores so don't knock yourself out over it.

An outside tortoise might chomp down on a random snail, they should never be fed animal protein directly.

Incorrect. Redfoot tortoises actually need animal protein as part of their very varied diet. Pinkie rats and mice, boiled eggs, sardines, worms, can and should be fed to your Redfoot tortoises once or even twice per week. Just also feed vegetables, weeds, flowers, opuntia cactus and fruit every day according to what you may have available.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Incorrect. Redfoot tortoises actually need animal protein as part of their very varied diet. Pinkie rats and mice, boiled eggs, sardines, worms, can and should be fed to your Redfoot tortoises once or even twice per week. Just also feed vegetables, weeds, flowers, opuntia cactus and fruit every day according to what you may have available.

Tammy, OP is getting a Greek tortoise. Redfoots are another story. However, pinkies are not considered a good option because of fat/protein ration.

 

[TammyJ]

Tammy, OP is getting a Greek tortoise. Redfoots are another story. However, pinkies are not considered a good option because of fat/protein ration.

I know that Greek tortoises should not be given animal protein.
There is absolutely no harm done in giving Redfoot tortoises a pinkie mouse sometimes. I am speaking from my own experience with them. I have no further input here.

 

[G-stars]

Correct. Redfoots will readily eat animal protein. I’ve seen redfoots swallow adult mice whole. Not something I recommend unless you know where the protein source is from due to possibility of diseases, poisoning, or parasites.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Incorrect. Redfoot tortoises actually need animal protein as part of their very varied diet. Pinkie rats and mice, boiled eggs, sardines, worms, can and should be fed to your Redfoot tortoises once or even twice per week. Just also feed vegetables, weeds, flowers, opuntia cactus and fruit every day according to what you may have available.

OP is asking about Greek tortoises, they are a new owner.

 

[Bera]

Thanks for replies i will not be feeding my greek tortoise any animal protein

 

[wellington]

OP is asking about Greek tortoises, they are a new owner.

The way you wrote your first post reads like no tortoise should ever eat pinkies/mice. That's probably how Tammy read and took it to. I also did.

 

[RosemaryDW]

The way you wrote your first post reads like no tortoise should ever eat pinkies/mice. That's probably how Tammy read and took it to. I also did.

I see, my bad. I read OP as knowing it was fine for red foots but not so sure of other types and thus only asking about these others.

At any rate, I hope we have together steered OP in a useful direction for both types!