Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read everything on sulcata diets I can find on the net... however most of it is contradictory like everything you find on the net.

Anyway some sites say absolutely nothing but grasses and leafy greens period, others say that you can add some veggies to that in moderation but absolutely no fruit, and still others say you can feed any fruit or veggie with grasses and greens.

To say the least I am a little concerned I dont want ot feed fruits or veggies and kill off the gutflora of my tortoise' intestine, but I also dont want to miss out on some good food items if they are indeed acceptable.

Is there anyone who knows the skinny on this? Or is it all going to basicly boil down to opinion?

Opinion seems to differ with so many people. Mine eats hay and timothy grass (the hay is also used as his substrate) and then I go out to a field by my house and get him grasses and clovers and dandilions from there. I also add to his diet collared greens, kale, zucchini and other squashes such as danish. Maybe people will disagree with this diet, i'm not sure. One thing I would not reccomend feeding is the fruit or greens that are light in color. No romaine or iceberg and stuff like that.

But again, that is just my opinion.

Mine were raised almost exclusively on romaine (about 80% of their diet for the first year). Romaine has an excellent calcium to phosphorous ratio and is actually high in fiber. Stay away from iceberg, it is extremely low in nutrients and will give the runs. I give fruits once a week. This is probably comparable to what they would find while foraging in the wild. Now they are 3 years old, big, fat and healthy and eat mostly grasses in the spring/summer.

np
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

romaine is one of the worst lettuces in the calcium/phosphorous
ratio - who told you otherwise? Unless there's at least
twice as much calcium compared to phosphorous, you are losing
calcium when it's fed. I wouldn't want a tortoise raised on only
romaine. Check the USDA database. Better greens are collards,
mustard greens and dandelion.

I have included the link for Sulcata Station's Diet page, I feel it is the most comprehensive and correct I have found on the web. While I don't agree with everything they say(I feed some mazuri tortoise diet to my little guy), I do believe that the majority is true.

Highlights of the diet include:

Grasses or Grass hays should make up 75% of your sulcata's diet

Edible weeds, leaves, flowers should make up the remaining 25%

Dark leafy green vegetables at most once a week is optional, though not necessary

A calcium supplement such as RepCal or calcium carbonate, can be used.

NO Fruits should be given.

I also leave a small piece of cuttle bone in the enclosure, my little guy chews on it when he feels like it.

You should also be soaking him for 10min everyother day or so(more often if you'd like) - good hydration is important

Hope this helps

Good Luck
Link

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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

I agree the sulcata station has the best diet info on the web. Elvis has been eating grass, clover, dandilion flowers/greens, and once in awhile for a treat he has some wild raspberries. I also always supply him with a cuttle boen for calcuim, and he munches on that regularily. I give him a multi-vitamin suppliment once a week, and soak him on a regular basis.