The substrate is fine grade orchid bark.beautiful @Tom which kind of substrate is this ? dont you remove spines from opuntia ?
Really just keep offering them. They will eventually eat them. They are similar to toddlers.My rf and indian star wont eat cactus pads. Any advice? They are still babies though. I've tried by cutting them into tiny pieces and they still wont touch them.
My rf and indian star wont eat cactus pads. Any advice? They are still babies though. I've tried by cutting them into tiny pieces and they still wont touch them.
My star is already dead but my rf still refuses to eat cactus. No matter how i chopped them, served it whole, mixed them.Are you chopping them up and mixing them with food they normally eat? That’s how I get mine to take them.
I really don't know. I was at work when my wife found him died at 6pm, but she saw Louie ( my baby star) still moving and walking at 4pm. No signs of R.i, nor bubbles, but he did eat very little, and he opens his mouth a lot ( like gasping ).Oh no! So sorry to hear this! Do you know what happened?
We can all learn from others' experiences. [emoji26]
I'm so sorry.I really don't know. I was at work when my wife found him died at 6pm, but she saw Louie ( my baby star) still moving and walking at 4pm. No signs of R.i, nor bubbles, but he did eat very little, and he opens his mouth a lot ( like gasping ).
Thank you [emoji21]I'm so sorry.
The substrate is fine grade orchid bark.
I do try to remove most of the spines for babies, but it really isn't necessary. The spines from "spineless" opuntia are no problem for any tortoise species.
I've pondered that many times, but desert tortoises eat the fully spined versions of this daily and come to no harm. The fully spined opuntia has been introduced to Madagascar and the local farmers use it to protect their crops from the local wildlife by encircling their fields with it. The local radiata tortoises just walk right up and eat it, spines and all. So even non-native species can eat it with no problems. When I get glochids in my hands or forearms, I sometimes use my teeth to get them out and hen spit them away. I've never had a glochid or spine get stuck in my teeth or lips. I wonder if saliva helps prevent getting stuck by the little glochids?That's good to know, I poke myself pretty regularly removing the glochials. How can it damage us and not their internal organs?
I've pondered that many times, but desert tortoises eat the fully spined versions of this daily and come to no harm. The fully spined opuntia has been introduced to Madagascar and the local farmers use it to protect their crops from the local wildlife by encircling their fields with it. The local radiata tortoises just walk right up and eat it, spines and all. So even non-native species can eat it with no problems. When I get glochids in my hands or forearms, I sometimes use my teeth to get them out and hen spit them away. I've never had a glochid or spine get stuck in my teeth or lips. I wonder if saliva helps prevent getting stuck by the little glochids?
I don't have the answer, but I've been feeding it to all of my tortoises for many years and I haven't seen any issue yet.