Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been using Ectotherm's Sulcata Gold dry food for the past two years. It was cheap (10lbs for $35), my Sulcata loved it and he never seemed healthier. He is 4 years old and I fed him mostly home grown dandelion before I found the Sulcata Gold, it was a revelation and saved me much time and effort.

Unfortunately Ectotherm is located in the midwest US and it seems there business has been destroyed by the flooding there this past spring. It's been 5 months and they are still not back in business. I wish them the best, but have not been able to find a suitable replacement food, especially during winter months. I recently saw something called "Healthy Herp Tortoise Food Instant Meal". Has anyone tried this or can recommend other dried foods? Thank you.

I use "Mazuri" tortoise chow by purina it is a little more expensive i pay $20 for a 20lb bag. Purchasing it at a local feed store is cheaper than buying it online as you dont pay shiping.

I dont know where you live but you may be able to plant winter rye grass.It comes up fast and my Sulcutas and mountain tortoises love it.Plant thick.In summer I plant a seed called brown top,its kind of fragle to to much rain but will come up fast and grow in the shade.I also plant collard green seeds.Have you ever noticed the weeds under someones bird feeder.Its much cheeper than any grass seed,and you'll get some birds to visit also.Grass can be the cause of parasites,some that are not killed by panacure.Fecal checks are a must for grazers.Anyone else out there with knolage on this subject,please chime in,it could help a lot of us.This pic was taken about a week after I planted brown top,after being turned to mud from a flood.

Although controversial with some, I have had good results with Mazuri (5M21) tortoise chow as part of a diverse diet, including greens, cacti, grasses and hay. Like Vic in Fla., I plant grass seeds, clover, and bird seed in my tortoise pens, and it grows in this mild Winter climate while they are hibernating, providing food and cover when they emerge and even the dead stalks from the bird seed grain crops help keep the pens cooler in the intense Summer desert Sun. I think a diverse diet of the "acceptable" items is important, it provides the micronutrients that restricted diets may miss, and buffers your mistakes etc. I get Mazuri very reasonable in big bags, usually I special order at the Purina connected Feed & Grain store. Good luck, "moderation in all things" Vic H.