Re: Advice on feeding....

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Posted by brad on December 27, 2001 at 11:50:45:

In Reply to: Advice on feeding.... posted by Tracy Ren on December 27, 2001 at 11:10:08:

Cut way back on the carrots. Although they are good sources of vitamin a, they are also high in oxalic acid which binds calcium and reduces its availability. My russians love them more than anything else they get, but I give them a few small chunks every week or so.

If you can get to a chemical free area, or get them from your local market, try dandelions (flower and leaves), plantain (the weed, not the fruit), clover and grass. There are other weeds, but those are the ones I find easy to identify. Opuntia cactus pads (spineless varieties) are highly recommended.

The grocery greens are OK but many have high levels of oxalic acid or iodine-binding compounds that can interfere with the tortoises diet. They are also low in fiber. The plants I listed above have high fiber content and fewer "anti-nutrient" compounds.

There is a book put out by the tortoise trust that lists guidelines for feeding turtles and tortoises. I've found it very helpful.
You might find it at a reptile store, or go to www.tortoisetrust.org and see if they list it there.

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: Cut way back on the carrots. Although they are good sources of vitamin a, they are also high in oxalic acid which binds calcium and reduces its availability. My russians love them more than anything else they get, but I give them a few small chunks every week or so. : If you can get to a chemical free area, or get them from your local market, try dandelions (flower and leaves), plantain (the weed, not the fruit), clover and grass. There are other weeds, but those are the ones I find easy to identify. Opuntia cactus pads (spineless varieties) are highly recommended. : The grocery greens are OK but many have high levels of oxalic acid or iodine-binding compounds that can interfere with the tortoises diet. They are also low in fiber. The plants I listed above have high fiber content and fewer "anti-nutrient" compounds. : There is a book put out by the tortoise trust that lists guidelines for feeding turtles and tortoises. I've found it very helpful. : You might find it at a reptile store, or go to www.tortoisetrust.org and see if they list it there.

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