I've been seeing some threads about overgrown beaks on tortoises, and it makes me worried that my hatchling will develop that. I'm just feeding him on a towel right now but would that be not so good for trimming his beak down? Do any of you guys feed your tortoise on anything special so he trims his beak while he eats?
what do you feed your tortoise on?
- Thread starter byviolet
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A slate tile works well. Costs like a dollar at Lowe's or Home Depot. I wouldn't feed on a towel because a) it doesn't trim the beak and b) it increases the risk of him ingesting a foreign body (piece of towel) and could possibly cause impaction.
This shouldn't be an issue with the right diet and environment, regardless of what you feed them on. I feed most of mine on plastic trays or on a bed of grass hay for the big grass eaters. Tough fibrous weeds, grasses and spineless opuntia pads all help keep the beak in proper shape.
My tortoise eats on stone plate that keeps his nails trimmed too.
You can also feed him harder foods good for his beak, like carrots or cactus pads (on occasion). Offer him a cuddle bone, which can keep his beak short, and gives him extra calcium.
You can also feed him harder foods good for his beak, like carrots or cactus pads (on occasion). Offer him a cuddle bone, which can keep his beak short, and gives him extra calcium.
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I got a terra catta plant saucer for food and water works well
David
David
tortoisetime565
Well-Known Member
I use Terra cotta saucers if I do Mazuri. Or tile from home depot like 68 cents each. Most of the bigger torts just graze the grass and weeds though.
i use half a roof slate. its about 10inch by 6inch keeps his food out of the dirt when he spreads it around. also nice and easy to clean.
zaroba
New Member
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- Jul 11, 2014
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indoors, on a stone block or in a plate.
outside i just toss the food on the rocky ground
outside i just toss the food on the rocky ground
