Re: String Beans for Sulcata

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Posted by KATHY on August 03, 2000 at 17:33:32:

In Reply to: Re: String Beans for Sulcata posted by brad on August 03, 2000 at 13:20:05:

: I looked on the USDA database for "string bean"
: but could only find snap/green beans. If I recall
: correctly those are the same as string beans.

: Anyway, green beans are 1.8% protein, which
: is less than many greens, and have a slightly
: less than 1:1 calcium-to-phosphorous ratio.

I didn't look at this site, but is this cooked or raw? I've found green beans listed on the Nutritional Analysis of Foods Commonly Eaten by Captive Desert Tortoises chart published by the CA Turtle & Tortoise Society and the protein is 19.3%!

: So basically, they could be considered a
: neutral food, with nothing to recommend them
: as a basic element of the diet. And while they
: are relatively low in protein, it could be that
: they would provide additional amino acids that
: could lead to better utilization of other
: plant proteins.

I didn't see anything relating to amino acids. But, green beans (and the like) are most positively un-recommended by Andy Highfield in his book, The Tortoise & Turtle Feeding Manual. Now, this stuff is really technical (and I am not a technical person!), but the major concern is the calcium:phosphorous ratio (the protein issue is secondary). Mature turtles should eat a ratio of *at least* 2:1 (calcium to phosphorous). Green beans are 1.3:1. Eating at least a 2:1 ratio diet allows the torts' blood system to absorb the calcium through the intestine and store it in the blood until it's used by the body to build bones or for other organ functions. If a tort doesn't get the proper ratio, he will try to maintain a blood calcium:phosphorous ratio of 2:1 by stealing calcium from its bones (MBD).

: I give very small amounts of green beans
: to my Russian tortoise. Sort of a snack.

And, personally, I think that's fine. I kept reading more and more on this subject and figured I'd share what I learned. But, my opinion only, unless you feed your torts foods that have inadequate calcium:phosphorous ratios it shouldn't be of concern if you give them a green bean snack every now and then. I would say moderation is really the key.

Kathy

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: : I looked on the USDA database for "string bean" : : but could only find snap/green beans. If I recall : : correctly those are the same as string beans. : : Anyway, green beans are 1.8% protein, which : : is less than many greens, and have a slightly : : less than 1:1 calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. : I didn't look at this site, but is this cooked or raw? I've found green beans listed on the Nutritional Analysis of Foods Commonly Eaten by Captive Desert Tortoises chart published by the CA Turtle & Tortoise Society and the protein is 19.3%! : : So basically, they could be considered a : : neutral food, with nothing to recommend them : : as a basic element of the diet. And while they : : are relatively low in protein, it could be that : : they would provide additional amino acids that : : could lead to better utilization of other : : plant proteins. : I didn't see anything relating to amino acids. But, green beans (and the like) are most positively un-recommended by Andy Highfield in his book, The Tortoise & Turtle Feeding Manual. Now, this stuff is really technical (and I am not a technical person!), but the major concern is the calcium:phosphorous ratio (the protein issue is secondary). Mature turtles should eat a ratio of *at least* 2:1 (calcium to phosphorous). Green beans are 1.3:1. Eating at least a 2:1 ratio diet allows the torts' blood system to absorb the calcium through the intestine and store it in the blood until it's used by the body to build bones or for other organ functions. If a tort doesn't get the proper ratio, he will try to maintain a blood calcium:phosphorous ratio of 2:1 by stealing calcium from its bones (MBD). : : I give very small amounts of green beans : : to my Russian tortoise. Sort of a snack. : And, personally, I think that's fine. I kept reading more and more on this subject and figured I'd share what I learned. But, my opinion only, unless you feed your torts foods that have inadequate calcium:phosphorous ratios it shouldn't be of concern if you give them a green bean snack every now and then. I would say moderation is really the key. : Kathy

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