Sulcata tortoise diet

[Iruhaku]

I have a question for you lovely people.

My Sulcata clearly had a bad start from the breeder and at 1 year was a quite a bit underweight and failing to thrive. They had fresh weeds, greens and grass pretty much all the time the light was on which was replaced frequently. I asked on here and and was advised to feed 5M21 eventually I’ve been able to source a reliable 5M21 seller in the uk. My problem now is she’s absolutely addicted to it. I now have to mix 1 pellet (soaked till soft) with her morning food before she’ll even think about touching any of her fresh stuff. Then throughout the day also. She was 150 grams and 9CM long on may 6th (around 1 year old) and on the 16th of June she was 225 grams and 11 CM long. Is this too much of the 5m21 formula? I don’t want it to cause pyramiding or other health issues but generally the reviews of this seem good if not great. I’m ecstatic about the gains she made and she seems far more active than previous and her shell still appears smooth.

Now if I don’t give her the mazuri she will throw dirt at her fresh food

Is it ok to continue this way?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Tom]

I have a question for you lovely people.

My Sulcata clearly had a bad start from the breeder and at 1 year was a quite a bit underweight and failing to thrive. They had fresh weeds, greens and grass pretty much all the time the light was on which was replaced frequently. I asked on here and and was advised to feed 5M21 eventually I’ve been able to source a reliable 5M21 seller in the uk. My problem now is she’s absolutely addicted to it. I now have to mix 1 pellet (soaked till soft) with her morning food before she’ll even think about touching any of her fresh stuff. Then throughout the day also. She was 150 grams and 9CM long on may 6th (around 1 year old) and on the 16th of June she was 225 grams and 11 CM long. Is this too much of the 5m21 formula? I don’t want it to cause pyramiding or other health issues but generally the reviews of this seem good if not great. I’m ecstatic about the gains she made and she seems far more active than previous and her shell still appears smooth.

Now if I don’t give her the mazuri she will throw dirt at her fresh food

Is it ok to continue this way?

Any advice appreciated.

First, food doesn't cause pyramiding. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. Doesn't matter what they are eating or what the UV levels are. Likewise, healthy growth does not cause problems.

I understand that you are worried about the size of your tortoise, but don't become a person who begs their animal to eat. I would only offer Mazuri once or twice a week. Feed the right foods the rest of the time and let your tortoise learn what hunger feels like if it chooses to skip the food you've offered.

Be sure to maintain the right conditions, and soak the tortoise daily to maintain hydration and keep the gut moving. Ambient temp in the whole enclosure should not ever be lower than 27C anywhere in the enclosure. Ambient temp should rise to around 30-32C daily. There should be a basking area under an incandescent flood bulb that is around 37C for 12 hours a day. Humidity should be over 80% all the time. In addition to the heat lamp and UV tube, be sure to have lots of bright LED light in the 5000-6500K color range. It should look bright and "sunny" in the enclosure every day.

 

[Iruhaku]

First, food doesn't cause pyramiding. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. Doesn't matter what they are eating or what the UV levels are. Likewise, healthy growth does not cause problems.

I understand that you are worried about the size of your tortoise, but don't become a person who begs their animal to eat. I would only offer Mazuri once or twice a week. Feed the right foods the rest of the time and let your tortoise learn what hunger feels like if it chooses to skip the food you've offered.

Be sure to maintain the right conditions, and soak the tortoise daily to maintain hydration and keep the gut moving. Ambient temp in the whole enclosure should not ever be lower than 27C anywhere in the enclosure. Ambient temp should rise to around 30-32C daily. There should be a basking area under an incandescent flood bulb that is around 37C for 12 hours a day. Humidity should be over 80% all the time. In addition to the heat lamp and UV tube, be sure to have lots of bright LED light in the 5000-6500K color range. It should look bright and "sunny" in the enclosure every day.

That’s great and yeah I’ll start doing it this way and force her or she can go hungry. Since the mazuri started you can tell she’s a lot hungrier so I’ll start this.

Yeah she is soaked every day for 30 mins changing water halfway through. her temperature never drops below 27C anywhere with basking 37-38C and her humidity ranges from 75-80% by wetting the substrate. She has the white python LED lights that were recommended on here, I think by you but I can’t remember. I’ve attached her temperature readout and 38 at the sensor=37C at basking and also ignore the low day the Internet was out all day so it failed to record properly, temperature was fine though.

While I have you, what age can we switch to a table? I want a bigger home for her but would prefer to go to a table from the viv

Thanks once again Tom, it’s usually always you, tireless effort