Strawberry Leafs

[DayDreamer]

Im reading some conflicting things on strawberry leafs being safe for russians to eat. Im going to be growing a strawberry plant for my daughter and wanted to know if the leaf from the plant was safe to give, or even the leaf from the top of the fruit itself.

 

[pfara]

Strawberry greens are fine to add to a varied diet. Tops and leaves! Just make sure to feed the new, lighter colored leaf growth.

 

[Jacqui]

The only ones I feed on purpose are the ones that come attached to the berry I am eating. However, I do grow strawberry plants in their enclosures for them to each, if they choose. Not the Russians, who would have the plants eaten before I even finish covering the plant's roots up. But yes, the leaves can be fed.

 

[DayDreamer]

perfect thanks a lot guys!
im starting a garden just for the tortoise, so I wouldnt want to start growing anything that couldnt be fed in the same area (could get confusing for a 5 year old) part of her chores will be go to out and pick fresh greens.

The fruit itself should only be given on RARE occasions right? maybe what? once every 2 months a safe time between strawberry treats?

we are buying a whole bunch of different mixes and weeds so much so that nothing will be fed more then twice a week.

 

[Jacqui]

Yes, I go with rare. Will also depend on if a hatchling or an adult. Adults can take more often, but still only a small amount and only once a month or so for the fruit.

 

[Tom]

Why don't we feed fruit to tortoise? Don't we all agree that its not "good" for them?

So why feed it once a month or once every two months, if its not good for them? Why not feed something that IS good for them.

 

[Jacqui]

Because we humans like to give special treats that we know our tortoises love. It's like giving candy to a child, we know it's not the best thing for them to eat, but it makes us feel good to see their delight in the rare treat. Most of us don't want to go out and find manure or dead animals/birds for them to eat, so we go with fruit. Plus some types of tortoises do indeed eat quite a bit of fruit in the wild. There are many things with tortoise keeping that some folks consider "not good for them", but we still do them. I think as long as we make it as small a part of their lives, it's okay in the total big picture. For those folks who can feel good without the treats, then all the better for them and their tortoises.

 

[DayDreamer]

I actually didnt know it wasnt good for them. why is that? I always kinda figured if they found a fruit in the wild as rare as that might be that they would eat it.
I just knew it could cause 'the runs' however the same happens in some humans when they eat too much fruit.
sorry for the ignorance on the fruit part I have only been doing my research on tortoises for a little while, and there is a lot of conflicting views as im sure you all know lol so all i really knew was its fine but for rare occasions.

what is it in fruits that makes them unhealthy for tortoises? and is there any GOOD 'treat' that could be grown and given on occasion that tortoises go crazy for?

 

[Yvonne G]

Certain species of tortoise haven't evolved to have fruit in their diets, and if fed in abundance it causes a parasite bloom from too much sugar.