Overfeeding

[Nobody]

I have this new Sulcata tortoise who is almost a year old and is 3 1/4 inches in length.Well,everytime I bring him/her out to our garden for an hour in the morning to get sunligt,he/she spends about 45 minutes just eating grass.Same thing also in the afternoon.I take him/her out also for an hour and he/she spends 45 minutes eating grass.I just wonder on how all those grass that he/she consumes could fit into his/her belly.Anyway,is this something to worry about.Is he/her being overfed even if what he/she eats are all grass in our garden?Aside from that my Sulcata eats green veggies twice a week.
Thanks.

 

[kbaker]

I have this new Sulcata tortoise who is almost a year old and is 3 1/4 inches in length.Well,everytime I bring him/her out to our garden for an hour in the morning to get sunligt,he/she spends about 45 minutes just eating grass.Same thing also in the afternoon.I take him/her out also for an hour and he/she spends 45 minutes eating grass.I just wonder on how all those grass that he/she consumes could fit into his/her belly.Anyway,is this something to worry about.Is he/her being overfed even if what he/she eats are all grass in our garden?Aside from that my Sulcata eats green veggies twice a week.
Thanks.

You are on the right path. My Sulcatas are outside 24/7 in MI from about Memorial Day to Labor Day (give or take some weeks depending on that year's weather). There diet is 90%+ of what ever grows in their pen - grass and weeds. My neighbors pick their weeds and toss them into the pen. I can't grow enough weeds and my neighbers can't pull them quick enough. I keep a full lawn for them which I have to cut regularly. I water their grass before I water my lawn in the heat of summer.

This is one reason why tortoises are so easy and affordable to keep. Keep in mind:

Pay attention to what you use on your grass/plants (including what your neighbors use) and protect him from any bad chemicals.

Be aware of what is learking in the grass and sky. Your tortoise makes a tasty treat.

Also, pay attention to the weeds/plants. Find a toxic list somewhere.



I am a strong believer of giving your tortoise plenty of grass, time outside in the sun and space to roam.

To directly answer your question - No, you can't overfeed your tortoise on grass.

 

[Tom]

Welcome to the world of sulcatas. Eating is what they do best. Fresh grass+space to roam and exercise+sunshine= a happy, healthy little tortoise.