Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I was always told that dark leafy greens, such as mustard and collard, should be a big part of my torts diet .. after doing more research i have found that its GRASSES that should be the big part ...i found these to be good...

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides)
Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon -- which actually originated in Africa!)
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparious)
Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii)
Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Arizona Fescue (Festuca arizonica)
Lawn Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)
Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina)
Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)

HOWEVER, I HAVE NO CLUE WERE I CAN FIND THEM ...I CANT GROW THEM, SO WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THEM? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED ... THANKS!!!

What do you mean you can't grow them? Do you mean you don't have a yard or a garden? Or that you simply do not have a green thumb or ????

Several of the grasses you listed are found growing wild throughout the midwest or southern states. Bermuda of course is found in many lawns - don't take it from any lawns that might be sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
I believe the weed "crab grass" is actually a relative of orchard grass & many torts love it.
Many torts also love winter rye but some people do not reccomend it on the very unlikely case of it being infected with ergot fungus (only on seed heads if I remember correctly).

Darrell Senneke (sp?) of the World Chelonian Trust reccommends feeding "ditch grass" hay available at some feed stores. Some of these feed stores will also have bermuda or orchard grass hay. Some pets stores will have small bags of orchard grass hay but it may be old. Or you can order it from Oxbow.com.

I usually go for a walk every few days & come back with a large bag of tort friendly weeds & grasses but I have an idea what to look for. If you have a backyard you could build an area where your torts can stay during the warm months & get some good ol' sunshine to boot!
Link

try oxbow hay.com.. that is where I buy my orchard grass hay. good luck.

I get hay from Carolina Pet Supply. They also have seeds of various grasses including a sulcata grazing mix that I grow in pots. I'm also going to plant some outside this year. They grow very fast inside. I use kitty litter pan
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Julia
Sulcatas Echo and Tank

This site seems to have many types of grasses and is full of information. I haven't purchased from it, however may do so later on.

http://www.lawngrasses.com/