Not so picky after all?

[Moozillion]

I thought my Hermann's, Elsa, was just being picky when she suddenly quit eating opuntia after chowing down on it happily for months. But when I decided to research opuntia recipes for humans (I understand it's VERY popular in Latin America) I discovered that the younger cactus paddles are sweeter than the larger, more mature ones. Earlier in the year, my opuntia was just getting going and the paddles I fed her were all small (and presumably sweet). Now the paddles are much bigger. I tasted a bit of one, and it WAS slightly tart. So it appears there may be a very good reason for Elsa going off her opuntia: the taste has changed, and she is NOT just being finicky.

 

[Tom]

Interesting. The bigger pads are a lot more fibrous too. My smaller tortoises have trouble With them sometimes.

 

[mike taylor]

Hummmmm that sure is something!! Thats why my little sulcata will eat the new growth on the cactus but not the older ones . I will have to cut old with new and trick him . Thanks for the info . I learn something every time I come on TFO.

 

[Moozillion]

Whenever I have been attributing any of my pets' behaviors to them just being contrary, but later learn there was probably a very good reason for what they were doing, I always feel a little humbled. If I keep an open mind and an open heart, they can teach me so much!

 

[jaizei]

Evaluation of oxalates and calcium in nopal pads (Opuntia ficus-indica var. redonda) at different maturity stages

Interesting, maybe relevant.

 

[Moozillion]

Interesting article- some of it over my head, but still interesting. I think I remember seeing somewhere that oxalates taste a little bitter...But good to know about the higher Calcium content of the more mature pads,