Russian only eating lettuce

[shoaibsadiq]

Hello,

I have two baby Russian tortoises, when I first bought them I only had lettuce available so I started feeding them that and now they only eat lettuce. I have tried giving them cucumber, carrot, strawberry and even that Mazuri tortoise feed (that needs to be soaked in water first) but they only eat lettuce.

Any suggestions what should I do to make them eat other things as well.

 

[LoutheRussian]

I had this same problem with my first Russian. I didn’t know any better and was just trying to keep him alive since he was dumped on me. The way I got him to eat other foods was tough love. Over a few days I started mixing in other healthy foods while offering less of the Romaine. At first he picked out the lettuce and left everything else and when it got to where there was no romaine in the meal he wouldn’t eat it. I was encouraged to just stay strong and when he got hungry enough he would eat what was offered. Sure enough a few days went by without him eating anything then one morning he started munching on his new foods and I never let him have romaine again.

 

[shoaibsadiq]

I thought about it but was afraid to try it, but since it worked for you I might give it a try

Thank you

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome!

There is a nice link from Yvonne about feeding babies: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/feeding-the-babies.137491/#post-1289830.

Everything gets mixed up so they have to try some of everything.

The tough love approach wlll also work, but you’ll need to cut the pieces up pretty small.
Please don’t try them on any more carrots or strawberry just now; they aren’t built for those sugars.

 

[Tom]

Hello,

I have two baby Russian tortoises, when I first bought them I only had lettuce available so I started feeding them that and now they only eat lettuce. I have tried giving them cucumber, carrot, strawberry and even that Mazuri tortoise feed (that needs to be soaked in water first) but they only eat lettuce.

Any suggestions what should I do to make them eat other things as well.

I start with a tiny amount of the new food and mince it up super fine. Then chop up the normal amount of the old favorite food and wet it with a water spray bottle. Sprinkle the few tiny pieces of the new stuff on the pile and mix it all up thoroughly. Keep feeding this mixture until he eats it. Gradually, over weeks and months, add more of the new stuff and less of the old stuff. Don't rush, and start with a really really small amount at first. Soak daily during this process as the hydration will be good for the tortoise when it is being picky and not eating as much and the soaks also keep things moving in the GI tract, which will help to increase appetite.

Here is a small starter list of good foods to offer:
Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Other good stuff:
"Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html
Homegrown alfalfa
Mazuri Tortoise Chow
ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food