Tortoise Diet/Qantity

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My Russian Tortoise (Shelly) is about 8 years old. Can she live on cabbage only? If I feed her more than one tortoise head will she get too big for her shell? Do I need to supplement it with CA? I have Russian Tortoise pellets but it is difficult to mix and of course she won't eat them even if it is softened with water.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

My Russian Tortoise (Shelly) is about 8 years old. Can she live on cabbage only? If I feed her more than one tortoise head will she get too big for her shell? Do I need to supplement it with CA? I have Russian Tortoise pellets but it is difficult to mix and of course she won't eat them even if it is softened with water.

Hello! She can’t just live on cabbage no, for any tortoise species variety is key to health, they’d eat hundreds of different types of plants in the wild, in fact cabbage is very high in giotrogens, which can damage the liver and kidneys, I’d personally avoid feeding it altogether.
You want to be feeding leafy greens, appropriate flowers and weeds, feed a shell sized portion every day and calcium power can be added 2-3 times a week.

For more dietary information and ideas please check out this website

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

Whilst you are here would you mind answering a few questions? It’s always good for us to know how members are keeping their tortoise!

What size enclosure are you keeping him in? He ideally needs a bare minimum of an 8x4 foot set up to roam as an adult, roaming is absolutely vital to the well being of tortoise health, it strengthens their muscles and aids in digestion, they’d walk miles in the wild.

What lights are you using? What is your uv situation?
Your basking area temp? Ambient day temp? Night temp?

For the basking area he needs a incandescent floodlight(pic attached) avoid anything that says halogen or mercury vapour, it needs to be on a 12hour timer, directly under the bulb should be reading 95-100f(36-37c) the rest of the enclosure should ranging 75-80

Night can drop into 60’s, if your house drops lower than that a CHE(ceramic heat emitter) on a thermostat will be needed.

For uv you need a t5 fluorescent tube light, I’d personally recommend the Arcadia brand, it comes with a built in reflector fitting as to not waste any uv light, this needs to be on a separate 4hour timer from noonish mounted about 18-20 inches from the substrate. Also included a pic on how some people mount those.

What’s your humidity reading? Should be 30-50%.

What substrate is it you’re using? I’d personally recommend orchid bark, you want to aim for a damp bottom layer and a dryer top layer, to stop that top layer getting a little too dry though mix the substrate now n then. To maintain your humidity, pour lukewarm water into the corners of the substrate, not loads but enough to dampen the bottom layer, keep and eye on your monitors and substrate to do the pours as and when needed

Try and upload a photo of your full set up if you can! It’s so helpful for members advising!

Some of these questions may be redundant if you house them outdoors

 

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feed a shell sized portion every day and calcium power can be added 2-3 times a week.

You mean greens as big as she is or her head?
Turtle lives outside. In a pen where there is sun and shade. 20+ sq f

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

You mean greens as big as she is or her head?
Turtle lives outside. In a pen where there is sun and shade. 20+ sq f

A pile as big as she isthe more variety you offer the better! Just make sure it’s appropriate, and don’t worry if she doesn’t eat new stuff right away, it can take multiple attempts at offering, just persevere