Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

While browsing today I found a couple of things at a T & T I was wondering if I could feed my greek, in an effort to enrich her diet until more things sprout in my garden. All of these would be small quantities, mixed in with her regular grub

1) fiddlehead ferns

2) pepper leaves

Thanks
Alex

I would think that both of these items are OK. Fiddlehead ferns are on a human survivalist list as a survival food if you should happen to get lost in the woods, and I can't think of any reason why pepper leaves should not be fed.

Cool. Thanks. Pepper leaves are sold as food too, I've eaten them, and they're sold in huge quantities as people food in the T&T supermarkets... plus they're not $14/kilo like fiddleheads

Alex

if you want to try a new food item and are unsure of toxicity, personally I would skip it, but if you have reason to think it is probably safe, try this:

put in extremely miniscule amounts in the food, wait a few days
increase the amount a tiny bit, waite a few days

continue like this until they are eating it at the level you would plan on using it, each time waiting several days and observing their behavior and stools and seeing that they appear normal.

You can also note if they seem to prefer or not prefer this item once it is served in large enough amounts to be noticeable to them.

Peppers are members of the nightshade family and the leaves of nightshades can be toxic. Don't risk it.

Beorn

I supplement all feedings with alphalpha, which can be purchased very cheep at a feed store. It is very good for the tortoise also.