Hello,
My name is Ryan, and I am new to this forum. I am super grateful to have stumbled across it because it has been so helpful!
However, I am seeking some advice for my own tortoise...
When I was 10 years old, I really wanted a tortoise so my mother allowed me to get my own Sulcata tortoise. That was 15 years ago, so my tortoise is about 15 years old. I realize that others will probably formulate an opinion about children owning pets, trust me I have formulated my own thoughts. I kindly ask for solution based responses because I already feel embarrassed about the routine in raising my tortoise.
Due to miseducation of our own making, our tortoise has relied on leafy greens for most of his life, mostly romaine. He does have pyramiding of his shell. But now that I am older and more responsible, I want to make sure my tortoise is healthy and leads a happy life.
The other day I picked orchard grass from the store, and am dedicated to changing the diet of my tortoise. The first few days, I would blend the orchard hay and mix it in with the romaine. But I noticed that he would only try to eat the pieces that don't have any orchard hay on it. The last two days, I have been putting the orchard hay in a romaine leaf, folding it in half, and feeding it to him. But he HATES it! I spend about an hour each day doing this.
My fear is that he'll never adjust to the orchard hay, and will never successfully switch over. I am willing to do ANYTHING to make sure my tortoise is healthy and leads a happy life.
My questions are... will he eventually adjust to the orchard hay and eat it without the romaine? If so, how long will it take for him to adjust? Any other advice to greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
TL;DR: Tortoise has pyramiding. 15 years old. Trying to switch his diet over to orchard hay. Last couple days I've been sandwiching orchard hay in a romaine leaf and feeding it to him. Will he eventually adjust to the orchard hay and eat it without the romaine? If so, how long will it take for him to adjust? Any other advice to greatly appreciated!
My name is Ryan, and I am new to this forum. I am super grateful to have stumbled across it because it has been so helpful!
However, I am seeking some advice for my own tortoise...
When I was 10 years old, I really wanted a tortoise so my mother allowed me to get my own Sulcata tortoise. That was 15 years ago, so my tortoise is about 15 years old. I realize that others will probably formulate an opinion about children owning pets, trust me I have formulated my own thoughts. I kindly ask for solution based responses because I already feel embarrassed about the routine in raising my tortoise.
Due to miseducation of our own making, our tortoise has relied on leafy greens for most of his life, mostly romaine. He does have pyramiding of his shell. But now that I am older and more responsible, I want to make sure my tortoise is healthy and leads a happy life.
The other day I picked orchard grass from the store, and am dedicated to changing the diet of my tortoise. The first few days, I would blend the orchard hay and mix it in with the romaine. But I noticed that he would only try to eat the pieces that don't have any orchard hay on it. The last two days, I have been putting the orchard hay in a romaine leaf, folding it in half, and feeding it to him. But he HATES it! I spend about an hour each day doing this.
My fear is that he'll never adjust to the orchard hay, and will never successfully switch over. I am willing to do ANYTHING to make sure my tortoise is healthy and leads a happy life.
My questions are... will he eventually adjust to the orchard hay and eat it without the romaine? If so, how long will it take for him to adjust? Any other advice to greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!
TL;DR: Tortoise has pyramiding. 15 years old. Trying to switch his diet over to orchard hay. Last couple days I've been sandwiching orchard hay in a romaine leaf and feeding it to him. Will he eventually adjust to the orchard hay and eat it without the romaine? If so, how long will it take for him to adjust? Any other advice to greatly appreciated!