Sulcata Diet

[hlester22]

Is timothy hay something they can have? I've not been able to find a clear answer to this.

 

[Scout Mom]

I have a red rooted tortoise and I generally feed him a spring mix mixed with calcium/vitamin powder and for a treat he LOVES black berries or grape tomatoes. I've tried other fruits but he isn't a big fan, he doesn't like carrots either. Once in a while I give him part of a hard boiled egg for protien.

 

[Yvonne G]

Is timothy hay something they can have? I've not been able to find a clear answer to this.

I'm surprised you haven't been able to find a clear answer to that question. Timothy hay is good for sulcata tortoises. Yes, they can have any of the grass hays.

 

[TotallyTank]

i have fresh cactus pads from the desert, but how do i prepare them i know i take the big spines off, but then wht will thoes little hairs poke him, should i peel them i keep getting crap stuck in my hands so i am stying away till i get the right process down

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

i have fresh cactus pads from the desert, but how do i prepare them i know i take the big spines off, but then wht will thoes little hairs poke him, should i peel them i keep getting crap stuck in my hands so i am stying away till i get the right process down

This is something I had issues with starting off as well. And to answer your question it doesn't bother them at all. I do scrape moat of it off with scissors or a knife but they handle it just fine! Good question.

 

[cljohnson]

i have fresh cactus pads from the desert, but how do i prepare them i know i take the big spines off, but then wht will thoes little hairs poke him, should i peel them i keep getting crap stuck in my hands so i am stying away till i get the right process down

If you have a gas stove hold over a burner for a few seconds. Or I have a propane torch I hit them with before I harvest. It burns off all the tiny red hairs rendering them harmless.

 

[Jacob]

Key is a varied diet, i feed my sulcatta grass, cactus, weeds, dandelions, spring mix, turnip greens, collard greens,
watercross, hibiscus flowers and leaves, muzuiri zoo med, d3 calcium and usually anything else i can get my hands on.

 

[TotallyTank]

I have freshly cut cactus pads, I know I need to take the large spikes off, but what after that tank is 53lb

 

[Jacqui]

If you have a gas stove hold over a burner for a few seconds. Or I have a propane torch I hit them with before I harvest. It burns off all the tiny red hairs rendering them harmless.

That's what I do with my cactus pads before feeding too. Then I cut it up for the little guys, or leave whole for the big ones.

 

[mary t]

I have the cactus that has very fine clusters of little white spiky hairs. They don't hurt are just aggravating. I started using the propane torch to burn them off and then I noticed Willie just plowing into the plant and eating them right from it. He doesn't seem worried about it at all. so now I only worry about it if I have o handle it , like when I replant it or something. Luckily we are warm enough that it grows pretty much all year here. Used to be my hubbies prized cactus plant now it well food.