Silly question on feeding...

[Nixxy]

Hello!

So I have heard so many mixed things on how often to feed. See, I've got down pact what to feed. I've got it down how to feed. And where. And etc.

But how often?

I've heard everything from 3 times a week, to every other day, to daily.

I have an adult (7 year old) Red Foot. Perfect health. Just brought him home today.


Simple, yet important question.

 

[Tortoise Hub]

All of my adults are fed every day be it from me giving them food or them having the run of the yard and grazing. And wheres the pics?!!!

 

[Nixxy]

There's a few on the Red Foot page, on page 2.

"Meet Toby"

 

[Madkins007]

This is pretty much like feeding a human or cat. We can pretty easily calculate the actual calories it needs, then find the right balance of foods to meet that demand, as well as offering the right mix of nutrients...

Or, we can do like so many others do and either skip days or remove uneaten food after about 15-30 minutes,

Or, we can sort of simulate what they have in the wild. Offer large amounts of foods that are rather low in calories and carbs, but high in calcium and fiber- like greens, lettuces, edible leaves and flowers, grasses, hays, mushrooms, etc. Then offer much more limited amounts of things that are higher in carbs and fats (meats, fruits, etc.)- limiting them to only one or two times a week or so, or offering small amounts more often, or so on.

There are some other ideas here- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/nutrition

 

[Yvonne G]

My tortoises get fed almost every day. Sometimes, if I've run out of stuff to feed I may skip a day, but I've always got the mulberry tree and grape vines, so usually they are fed every day.

I don't think a tortoise ever wakes up and steps out of the burrow, rubbing his eyes and thinking, "Ho Hum...well, I ate yesterday, so I guess I'd better not eat today."

You also have to factor in how big your enclosure is. All my tortoises are outside, so they get exercise wandering around the habitats. If you keep your tortoise in a small, indoor habitat, he probably doesn't need to eat every day.