Scute Mob
Member
I know the basics of which food are safe, but I was hoping some members would share their general diet they feed their redfoots. I will be getting my hatchling soon! Any input is greatly appreciated!
Worms ,hibiscus flowers ,hibiscus leaves ,worms , snails, mazrui, spring mix,clover, dandelion ,grass,roses,cactus, watermelon, strawberries, banana, water hyacinths
Why not green beans Mike? Is that the same with sugar snap peas?Green beans are no good . Try mushrooms from the store . The weed dandelions with the yellow flowers are the same as the ones at the store . Turnip greens and kale are better options as for store food . I don't feed dog and cat food . I cook chicken or fish in the oven with nothing on it for protein . Worms you find in the ground they love .
I've given them fresh green beans infrequently mixed with their other greens. If they aren't advised, I will add them to theMy guy gets weeds, dark leafy greens, spring mix, Mazuri, mushrooms, banana, mango, and protein about once weekly (he had half a hard-boiled egg today and will have the other half tomorrow.) He tends to favor protein and Mazuri over veggies and fruits, though mushrooms are a favorite. I'm leaning more towards more tropical fruits and less leafy greens based on (obsessive, excessive) reading, and trying to keep the Mazuri to a minimum too (though that's his favorite thing and it's often used to trick him into eating veggies). He munches on clover, Italian dandelion, and testudo mix sprouts growing in us enclosure whenever he's hungry, so I know he's getting a bit of that stuff daily.
I don't keep redfoot tortoises, so I beg your pardon for commenting. My interest in tortoise diets and plants made this thread catch my eye.Why not green beans Mike? Is that the same with sugar snap peas?
Thank you for the informationI don't keep redfoot tortoises, so I beg your pardon for commenting. My interest in tortoise diets and plants made this thread catch my eye.
For green beans and peas...Feed your tortoise the plant itself and not the veg. The good folks at the tortoise table (-I mean that...I've participated in their forums and they are very nice people!) advise against Snap peas and even snap pea shoots. http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?catID=705
-They only JUST BARELY added this in their plant categories and I don't completely agree with them. I HAVE fed my tortoise snap pea shoots as part of a very large and varied diet and will continue to offer it several times during the winter because it grows so fast and well under grow lights. The problem that I have with their plant category post is in their discussion of Phytic Acid. It is true that the seeds inside beans and snap peas have phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that in large amounts can lead to stones etc, BUT the second the seed begins to SPROUT -even a tiny hair from the seed, those parts of the plant basically begin to "digest themselves" and they are not as present in the plant and leaves.
I'll continue to offer it during the winter as part of a heavily varied diet, but don't take my word for it!!! When you get conflicting info like I'm offering and even read something on the Tortoise Table that doesn't seem right, do some internet searches. You can often find sites offering a plant analysis and then there are millions of other web pages to offer an opinion on the edibility.
Glad she's doing better! Great job!Thank you for the information
I will do some more reading as well! I always thought I fed a pretty varied diet, but I'm seeing there is more I could be doing.
My littlest girl was originally rescued from a situation that left her very malnourished and dehydrated. I have no idea how old she is. (she could sit on the palm of my hand) I think more of her body weight was from her poor gut full of parasites.
In the last year she has more than doubled in size and she loves her dark leafy greens the best!
I soak her daily (she doesn't like it) and I always add moisture to her food. It has taken months before I finally saw her drink from her saucer. I don't think she really had a good water source before
I have so much to learn too. I'm finding my yellow foot to be pickier and pickier as time goes on. Since i've had to bring him inside (too cold) he isn't eating as varied of a diet as he did in August and September. I know his enclosure is too small, we are building him a bigger one this weekend. Hopefully this will make him happier. For the last week or so I can only get him to eat bananas, Mazuri tortoise or cat food, where before he would eat anything I gave him. I'm offering greens every day but he won't touch them. After a few days I give him a little of something he will eat. I realize that if he has a choice he will go for the banana, but I want to make sure he doesnt stop eating altogether. He's got shell issues and I don't want to go backwards with him.