Newbie's setup

[Tom]

Here is a list of foods to look for:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food


At the grocery store, try to find a wide variety and favor endive and escarole. Collard, turnip and mustard greens are good. Cilantro, watercress, bok choy and chard are all good too. Carrot tops, squash leaves, etc...

 

[Hillman]

• Here is a list of foods to look for:

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food


At the grocery store, try to find a wide variety and favor endive and escarole. Collard, turnip and mustard greens are good. Cilantro, watercress, bok choy and chard are all good too. Carrot tops, squash leaves, etc...

wow, you be so kind! it's a really useful list. I wish I could find a grocery or reptile store trustworthy here.
I see wild garlic on the list, can i feed them garlic that i bought from superstores? (of cos i meant garlic tops)

 

[Alaskamike]

Welcome! Toms threads are the best recommendations for starting our your babies. Just a few observations ....
The ramp in your tank is great for exersize , but I would glue a border to it. They can fall off and land on their backs. If under a heat lamp - dehydrate and die before you notice.

The soaked sponge works for some moisture. But as you'll read in Toms threads - it is not effective unless you cover the top of your tank to hold it in. Aluminum foil works. Or a plexiglass top if you want to get fancy. Either way , the heat and UVB bulbs have to then be IN under the top.

This presents another problem. Too close and they get too hot. It takes less watt bulb for heat in closed system.
You've obviously gone to some effort and expense to set up a good home for them. Good job

There are two products I got that prove invaluable. One is an Accurite remote temp / heat digital unit. Tells me temps + humidity at a glance. About $20 at Walmart.

The other is a lazer temp gun. $30 at Home Depot. You can check the temp of soak water , substrata, even their shells under the heat lamp. Don't underestimate the desiccating effects of heat lamps. It takes allot of moisture to counter act this.

Good fortune with them!

 

[Hillman]

All you need is humidity!

 

[leopard777]

I used this substrate before, one of mine fave, I forgot the name, what is it called?

 

[Tom]

can i feed them garlic that i bought from superstores? (of cos i meant garlic tops)

I've never done that. I don't know if its safe or not.