Suitable food?

[J4cq]

Hi, I can't buy dried tortoise food in NZ. Would bearded dragon food be ok? Sorry if this is a stupid question. It's starting to get colder here and I'm thinking of options for when there are no weeds about. I don't really want to feed just lettuce. I have tried to get seeds shipped here too but they get stopped at customs and destroyed.



Zoo Med Natural Bearded Dragon Food

* High-fiber, plant-based diet ideal for Bearded Dragons
* All natural - no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
* Vitamin and mineral fortified to provide the necessary nutrients adult Dragons need

Your Bearded Dragon's health will greatly benefit from Zoo Med's new Natural Juvenile Bearded Dragon Food with added vitamins and minerals. Each formula has been created with your Bearded Dragon's nutritional requirements in mind. The correct ratios of protein, calcium, and fiber make up these new foods; the Juvenile formula was specially formulated for growing dragons and the Adult formula for the long-term health of adult Dragons. Bearded Dragons will enjoy the flavorful Dandelion Greens and other nutritional plants that make up this new food, especially when mixed with Zoo Med's Can O' Mini Crickets and Can O' Mini Mealies. This new Natural Bearded Dragon food contains no artificial colors, flavorings, or preservatives.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (Min) 24.0 %Crude Fat (Min) 3.0 %Crude Fiber (Max) 13.0 %Moisture (Max) 13.0 %Ash (Max) 10.0 Calcium (Min) 0.8 Calcium (Max) 1.2 %Phosphorus (Min) 0.5 %Sodium (Max) 0.3 %

Ingredients

Dehulled Soybean Meal, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Dried Lima Beans, Rice Bran, Whole Ground Wheat, Fish Meal, Escarole, Endive, Calcium Carbonate, Glycerin, Marigold Petal Extract, Menhaden Oil, Yeast Culture, Dried Dandelion Greens, Monocalcium Phosphate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Direct-Fed Microorganisms (Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium, and Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Products), Dried Yeast, Dried Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentation Solubles, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Garlic Extract, Anise Extract, Chinese Cassia Bark Extract, Ginger Extract, Horseradish, Juniper Extract, Natural Flavoring, Yucca schidigera, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of stabilized Vitamin C), Zinc Methionine Complex, Selenium Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, preserved with natural Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate (source of Vitamin B5), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Chloride, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi J4cq can't help with the bearded dragon food but I'm sure you'll get expert help soon.

I have had same problem here in UK too Don't know if you can get this in NZ, but my leopard tort has had Florette Classic Crispy salad as recommended by another UK keeper. It has no additives and is a mix of 3 different leaves. These were sprayed with water then sprinkled with ground Readigrass (used a blender) and re sprayed to make sure it sticks and mixed in. Had to use Readigrass as my tort won't even eat fresh cut grass unless he can graze it himself and then he loves it so he's very picky.
I would try to vary it with 'occasional' romaine lettuce, curly or baby leaf kale, pak or bok choy leaves and whatever else I could find that I've seen recommended on the food lists for leopards. I tried growing my own weeds but my first attempt was very poor!
Some of the folks in USA seem to have great wholefood stores that supply various greens including dandelions, so if you have any like that near you then that will be handy.
Thankfully our weeds are now growing back in UK but it has been quite a challenge providing a varied diet through our first winter together - hopefully it will get easier next year! Good luck

 

[J4cq]

Thanks. I'll try your suggestion.

 

[WithLisa]

That Bearded Dragon Food consist mostly of ingredients that I would never ever feed to my tortoises (soybean and fish meal? ). I would just collect and dry weeds. Or let the torts brumate (of course only if the species does it in the wild too).

 

[Tom]

What species of tortoise are we talking about?

Bearded dragons are omnivores. That food is too high in protein and not suitable for most tortoise species. There are lots of foods you could try to grow yourself. I just don't know what is available down there.

 

[J4cq]

I have 2 Greek spur thighed. Buying seeds is a complete nightmare. I've tried to get them shipped from the UK but they get stopped at quarantine and destroyed. I've been getting seeds from the weeds and flowers I collect out and about but they don't seem to want to grow. Well not yet anyway!

Tortoises are so rare in NZ they aren't very well catered for. There is an abundance of weeds at the moment but mine don't like to eat dried stuff.

The breeder I got them off feeds theirs peas, corn, lettuce and meal worms to name a few things.

I'm just trying to look for alternatives through the winter months.

 

[Lyn W]

I expect there's a care sheet for Greeks here somewhere and of course other Greek keepers to help, but meanwhile have a look at the Tortoise Table website and see if there's anything recommended on there you can find in NZ

 

[lismar79]

Here is the link to tortoise table
http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp