Re: am i overfeeding leopard?

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Posted by Marissa on February 13, 1999 at 22:24:14:

In Reply to: am i overfeeding leopard? posted by carlos francisco on February 13, 1999 at 01:15:13:

When grazing in the wild, they will not really have access to pastures of rich grass as much as they want. It's more like foraging around the scrub lands for viable graze and weeds. They will also walk miles per day during this search for graze...grazing along the way. Basically I think you are definitely overfeeding your tortoise at this point, even though you sound like you have it on a good diet. Yes they can become pyramided (or more so in your case) by feeding good foods, just TOO MUCH of them. Pyramiding is from growth...you feeding your tortoise too much and it grows too fast for the scutes to grow outwards so they grow upwards instead. See? So, yes, I think you should cut down to 1/2 to 3/4 cup of LOOSELY packed greens per day...that's it! Tortoises like these are always hungry and are genetically programmed to eat a lot when it's available to sustain them during the hard times (which captive kept tortoises don't have). So, your tortoise will eat as much as you will give him...and if he gets too fat he will definitely pyramid more..as well as probably being sluggish and maybe fall ill from his overindulgent condition. A slightly hungry tortoise is better than a full one. Try to get him out for exercise, outside if the weather permits (over 72F). MAke his enclosure interestingly furnished...and don't think just because he explores his enclosure that he is looking for food, these guys are very curious creaters. Best of luck!

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: When grazing in the wild, they will not really have access to pastures of rich grass as much as they want. It's more like foraging around the scrub lands for viable graze and weeds. They will also walk miles per day during this search for graze...grazing along the way. Basically I think you are definitely overfeeding your tortoise at this point, even though you sound like you have it on a good diet. Yes they can become pyramided (or more so in your case) by feeding good foods, just TOO MUCH of them. Pyramiding is from growth...you feeding your tortoise too much and it grows too fast for the scutes to grow outwards so they grow upwards instead. See? So, yes, I think you should cut down to 1/2 to 3/4 cup of LOOSELY packed greens per day...that's it! Tortoises like these are always hungry and are genetically programmed to eat a lot when it's available to sustain them during the hard times (which captive kept tortoises don't have). So, your tortoise will eat as much as you will give him...and if he gets too fat he will definitely pyramid more..as well as probably being sluggish and maybe fall ill from his overindulgent condition. A slightly hungry tortoise is better than a full one. Try to get him out for exercise, outside if the weather permits (over 72F). MAke his enclosure interestingly furnished...and don't think just because he explores his enclosure that he is looking for food, these guys are very curious creaters. Best of luck!

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