ReptoCal Question

[bellyboo]

How much ReptoCal should I be feeding? It says 1-2 times a week...is that enough? Also, and this may be completely dumb, but it's ok to feed an all plant based and no commercial food diet, correct? How do you feed the ReptoCal then? Hiccup doesn't eat his commercial food as well as the fresh food and I can't buy it without ordering online, so I'd kind of like to get away from feeding it frequently. We have a huge garden in the summer and I have a setup to grow indoor plants, so he'd be getting plenty to eat.

I apologize if these are dumb questions. lol! Shell pyramiding scares me to death, so I want to make sure from the get-go that I'm doing his food right. I never had any issues at all when I owned my two RES, but this is my first tort. Also, if there is something other than ReptoCal that is recommended please let me know! It was the only thing available in store where I live. I ordered him some cuttlefish bone and it should be here in about a week.

Thanks so much!

 

[Neltharion]

How much ReptoCal should I be feeding? It says 1-2 times a week...is that enough? Also, and this may be completely dumb, but it's ok to feed an all plant based and no commercial food diet, correct? How do you feed the ReptoCal then? Hiccup doesn't eat his commercial food as well as the fresh food and I can't buy it without ordering online, so I'd kind of like to get away from feeding it frequently. We have a huge garden in the summer and I have a setup to grow indoor plants, so he'd be getting plenty to eat.

I apologize if these are dumb questions. lol! Shell pyramiding scares me to death, so I want to make sure from the get-go that I'm doing his food right. I never had any issues at all when I owned my two RES, but this is my first tort. Also, if there is something other than ReptoCal that is recommended please let me know! It was the only thing available in store where I live. I ordered him some cuttlefish bone and it should be here in about a week.

Thanks so much!

You know the saying, 'The only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask'. Unless the tort was otherwise sick or showing signs of malnutrition, the recommended 2-3 times a week should be ok. I don't supplement with calcium, I use the cuttlebones and let them bite away as they desire. I do use a Repashy Superveggie supplement designed for herbivores, other people may have other suggestions.

I know many keepers utilize an entirely plant based diet without any preprocessed food. I utilize probably a 95% plant based diet with small feedings of Mazuri once every other week or so. Nothing wrong with an entirely plant based diet (after all, that's what they get in the wild), but keep in mind that supermarket greens alone are not optimal nutrition.

 

[bellyboo]

How much ReptoCal should I be feeding? It says 1-2 times a week...is that enough? Also, and this may be completely dumb, but it's ok to feed an all plant based and no commercial food diet, correct? How do you feed the ReptoCal then? Hiccup doesn't eat his commercial food as well as the fresh food and I can't buy it without ordering online, so I'd kind of like to get away from feeding it frequently. We have a huge garden in the summer and I have a setup to grow indoor plants, so he'd be getting plenty to eat.

I apologize if these are dumb questions. lol! Shell pyramiding scares me to death, so I want to make sure from the get-go that I'm doing his food right. I never had any issues at all when I owned my two RES, but this is my first tort. Also, if there is something other than ReptoCal that is recommended please let me know! It was the only thing available in store where I live. I ordered him some cuttlefish bone and it should be here in about a week.

Thanks so much!

You know the saying, 'The only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask'. Unless the tort was otherwise sick or showing signs of malnutrition, the recommended 2-3 times a week should be ok. I don't supplement with calcium, I use the cuttlebones and let them bite away as they desire. I do use a Repashy Superveggie supplement designed for herbivores, other people may have other suggestions.

I know many keepers utilize an entirely plant based diet without any preprocessed food. I utilize probably a 95% plant based diet with small feedings of Mazuri once every other week or so. Nothing wrong with an entirely plant based diet (after all, that's what they get in the wild), but keep in mind that supermarket greens alone are not optimal nutrition.

Thank you! I ordered the cuttlebones and if he likes them I'll keep up with that. Seems easier than worrying about adding stuff. Right now he's having super market greens since it's winter, but I have tons of seeds on the way that should be here any day and we'll start those inside. He'll get a nice variety that way. Plus I'm a vegetarian, so my house is never without a large variety of veggies. I have plenty of food that was sent with him, so I'll offer that once or twice a week while I have it and add in the ReptoCal with it.

Thanks again for your reply!

 

[Madkins007]

Remember that the stuff we get in the store is a lot heavier in some nutrients, and lower in others than what we want- it is an OK winter replacement for grasses and weeds, but it is generally higher in moisture content and carbs, while lower in calcium- unless you are intentionally feeding high calcium options like some greens.

Ideally, you would know the calcium levels in the foods you are offering, and the calcium needs of your tortoise (which can be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/nutrition/guidelines-and-dosages ), and then add calcium as needed to close the gap. Pretty much like any vitamin regimen should be, even for people.

Adding a pinch of the supplement once a week or so is unlikely to cause problems, while also offering a real advantage.

 

[bellyboo]

Remember that the stuff we get in the store is a lot heavier in some nutrients, and lower in others than what we want- it is an OK winter replacement for grasses and weeds, but it is generally higher in moisture content and carbs, while lower in calcium- unless you are intentionally feeding high calcium options like some greens.

Ideally, you would know the calcium levels in the foods you are offering, and the calcium needs of your tortoise (which can be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/nutrition/guidelines-and-dosages ), and then add calcium as needed to close the gap. Pretty much like any vitamin regimen should be, even for people.

Adding a pinch of the supplement once a week or so is unlikely to cause problems, while also offering a real advantage.

Thank you, Mark! That's very helpful!