Veggie-tortoise?!
- Thread starter sachmn
- Start date
- Status
Fruit should only be an occasional treat, as too much can upset their stomachs [because of the sugar content] and can give them diarrhea. I only feed fruit once every week or two.
Feed him only fruit.. ONLY!
Is Norbert a redfoot? [ I assume he is because that's where you've posted this Q? ] Norbert will get the picture and he won't starve himself. Are you willing to do this is the Q?
Redfoots and other "forest" torts can handle hi-sugar in their diets.. savanna and desert torts don't!
Terry K
Is Norbert a redfoot? [ I assume he is because that's where you've posted this Q? ] Norbert will get the picture and he won't starve himself. Are you willing to do this is the Q?
Redfoots and other "forest" torts can handle hi-sugar in their diets.. savanna and desert torts don't!
Terry K
Try papaya.
Redfoot NERD said:
Whoops. Wasn't paying attention to the forum I was in. Sorry!
Dale can never say no to papaya or strawberries or blueberries or kiwi or really any fruit. 
Well, it was more of a comment than a question. I haven't tried Papaya, perhaps I will...he didn't like the mango much but loves cantaloupe, strawberries, honeydew, and he's so-so on bananas (he doesn't to go crazy for them like some others seem to). I don't feed him only fruit, the care sheet seems to say the opposite, including showing pictures of hatchlings eating greens so perhaps that is sarcasm?
He is a redfoot.
He is a redfoot.
sachmn said:
If you're referring to what Terry (Nerd) said about tough love and only feeding fruit until he finally eats it, no, I don't think it was sarcasm. If you go by his care sheet and feed mostly greens with the occasional fruit, that's what works best, however since your tortoise won't try the fruit, if you just offer fruit every day, he'll eventually try it when he gets hungry. That doesn't mean to continue to only feed fruit...only do that until he gets hungry enough to give it a try.
emysemys said:
Ahhh, that makes more sense. That's a good idea, I may try that next time. Sorry for misunderstanding.
General update:
I decided to get one of the Zoo-Med Repti-Foggers since keeping humidity up is kind of tough. So far so good. Heating is also a lot steadier.
I switched to Sphagnum moss from this "terrarium moss" sold at Pet-Co which turned out to be Frog moss and really wasn't holding any moisture. This also helped with humidity.
I think your tortoise will be all right if it doesn't eat a lot of fruit.
The fruits we offer redfoots are a lot different than the fruits in their natural habitat.
Try dicing up some fruit and mix in with the greens. Try fruits such as zuchini and squash as well.
The fruits we offer redfoots are a lot different than the fruits in their natural habitat.
Try dicing up some fruit and mix in with the greens. Try fruits such as zuchini and squash as well.
Pio loves cantaloupe the best, as do all my boxies. Everyone's favorite.
Just to clarify a small point... although Red-foots usually love fruit, there is no real evidence that they NEED much fruit in their diet. They seem to do just fine on a 'weed diet' like is fed to grassland species according to many experienced keepers and researchers. Those Red-foots that live in more open savannah, including many of the Northern group, don't get much fruit in their diets in the wild.
(Please note however, that the true 'weed diet' is not just lettuces and grocery store greens!)
(Please note however, that the true 'weed diet' is not just lettuces and grocery store greens!)
And to what Madkins said,
The fruit that the eat in the wild is more like legumes. Hardly sweet and barely any moisture
The fruit that the eat in the wild is more like legumes. Hardly sweet and barely any moisture
Maybe Norbert is just being like Taco...contrary and enigmatic.
- Status
Similar threads
