Overfed or Underfed?

[fifthdawn]

Just curious, would you rather have your tortoise over fed or underfed.

I think answer may vary if the question was would you rather have a fat tortoise or a skinny tortoise.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

All of my animals are over fed but if they were underfed they'd all be more active...

 

[fifthdawn]

lol Does weight really affect their activity level or were you joking?

 

[kimber_lee_314]

I seem to do a fine job of fattening up every creature that comes to live with me - even my husband!

 

[GBtortoises]

Given only those two choices, I prefer neither!

Here's a crazy notion--How about constantly monitoring it's diet and adjusting it as necessary so that your tortoise in neither overfed (fat) or underfed (skinny).

I know, it's a wacky concept isn't it.

 

[Laura]

I think in captivity, most are overfed. Esp some of the species. it might make them grow too fast. Being underfed is probably more real for them, as in the wild it may be feast or famine, but since the wild is not a nice place to be always.. i think being fed is better then not, but not overdone..
make sense?!

 

[elegans]

I change it up a little, some weeks they get abundant food. Others I let them go a little hungry, this is also largely weather dependent. They are certainly more attentive when they are hungry. LOL

 

[Tom]

I seem to do a fine job of fattening up every creature that comes to live with me - even my husband!

You and my wife! No really, I just haven't lost MY baby weight.

 

[GBtortoises]

I think in captivity, most are overfed. Esp some of the species. it might make them grow too fast. Being underfed is probably more real for them, as in the wild it may be feast or famine, but since the wild is not a nice place to be always.. i think being fed is better then not, but not overdone..
make sense?!

I completely agree! Tortoises live the "good life" in captivity compared to the hardships they would be facing in the wild. I believe that it is probably a better idea to slightly overfeed than underfeed if someone had to pick between the two simply because by underfeeding you may also be denying the animal of necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins and calories required for normal activity and body functions. Yes, much of that can be supplied with supplements. But some people prefer a more natural approach to suppling those nutrients.

 

[stells]

I don't like to think of mine as either.... they are fed... they eat what they are given which is a fair amount compared to what some would... they leave very few scraps.... i feel i am doing right by MY tortoises...

 

[GBtortoises]

Kelly-essentially I was trying to say the same thing that you just did! I just didn't do a very good job of explaining myself! I'm always watching them to ensure that they don't become obese but with the activity level that mine have I have yet to see any signs.

 

[terryo]

Well, I'm buying a scale, because Pio seems very heavy to me. I will have to make a new thread asking what kind of scale is used to weigh a tortoise, as I never weighed any of my boxies.

 

[Redfoot NERD]

The egg-laying females may get a little more protein and calcium carbonate to help with making eggs.. otherwise I'm with elegans, Kelly and GB.. they eat all they are offered all of the time...

Terry K

 

[fifthdawn]

Hmm, I probably shoulda made question more clear lol. Its not is your tortoise underfed or overfed?

What I meant to ask is if you had to choose one or the other, would you have your tortoise underfed or overfed?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

lol Does weight really affect their activity level or were you joking?

I was serious, if they are underfed they spend more time walking around looking for food. Once their bellies are full they lay down and sleep...