Paul...

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]

Posted by Niki on May 20, 2002 at 20:54:58:

In Reply to: Re: some advice (the other folks will give you more)... posted by Paul on May 20, 2002 at 19:46:29:

With that space you could easily use the extra
wattage, if you're worried about temperature, just
use a thermometer to check it. You sure there's
no draft with them on the floor? How high are the
sides of the enclosure?
I used to use rabbit pellets for a short time a
few years ago, but found them too dusty and smelly, plus they are quick to mold, and did I mention they're really smelly like a barn!
Then the consensus seemed to be that walking on
rabbit pellets was a bad idea, as they are
constantly "shifting" and give when walked upon,
not a good footing for developing tendons and legs. Besides I'm sure you figured out that with
that amount of pellets, there's a lot of weight
involved (think of the poor trash fellows!) and
they need frequent changing to keep ahead of the
mold, I've also heard that they can be irritating
to the respiratory system from the dust (same as with timothy hay, some sulcatas have eye problems with this) One more thing, rabbit pellets are usually alfalfa and not something you want them eating which they might be tempted to do.

Good more things to feed are lettuce types of Endive,Chickory, Escarole (most LOVE this!),
occasionally yellow or zuccinni squashes,
cucumber, kale, spinach, just a variety of stuff.

Also you could feed flowers & leaves of Hibiscus
plants (red flowers seem to be the favorite),
mulberry bush leaves, pansies and a host of other
plants. Let me see if I can get you some links.

As to the nose, if there are NO bubbles coming
out there too, it may be the substrate as a factor.

Have you had them tested for internal parasites,
your vet should be able to handle this with a fecal sample.

Just for your info, my tortoise is nearly 10 Kilos
at almost 3 years of age. He also receives
Mazuri (a commercially prepared food for large
land tortoises - from Purina and I get it from
my feed store, I feed 2 cups every 3rd day.)

Follow Ups:

Re: Paul... Paul 05/20/02 (2)
- see Terry's link on substrates... Niki 05/20/02 (1)
  - Re: see Terry's link on substrates... Paul 05/20/02 (0)
Link to "Sulcata Station" Niki 05/20/02 (1)
- Exotic animal food "Mazuri"...Link... Niki 05/20/02 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: With that space you could easily use the extra : wattage, if you're worried about temperature, just : use a thermometer to check it. You sure there's : no draft with them on the floor? How high are the : sides of the enclosure? : I used to use rabbit pellets for a short time a : few years ago, but found them too dusty and smelly, plus they are quick to mold, and did I mention they're really smelly like a barn! : Then the consensus seemed to be that walking on : rabbit pellets was a bad idea, as they are : constantly "shifting" and give when walked upon, : not a good footing for developing tendons and legs. Besides I'm sure you figured out that with : that amount of pellets, there's a lot of weight : involved (think of the poor trash fellows!) and : they need frequent changing to keep ahead of the : mold, I've also heard that they can be irritating : to the respiratory system from the dust (same as with timothy hay, some sulcatas have eye problems with this) One more thing, rabbit pellets are usually alfalfa and not something you want them eating which they might be tempted to do. : Good more things to feed are lettuce types of Endive,Chickory, Escarole (most LOVE this!), : occasionally yellow or zuccinni squashes, : cucumber, kale, spinach, just a variety of stuff. : Also you could feed flowers & leaves of Hibiscus : plants (red flowers seem to be the favorite), : mulberry bush leaves, pansies and a host of other : plants. Let me see if I can get you some links. : As to the nose, if there are NO bubbles coming : out there too, it may be the substrate as a factor. : Have you had them tested for internal parasites, : your vet should be able to handle this with a fecal sample. : Just for your info, my tortoise is nearly 10 Kilos : at almost 3 years of age. He also receives : Mazuri (a commercially prepared food for large : land tortoises - from Purina and I get it from : my feed store, I feed 2 cups every 3rd day.)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]