Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All,

I know all the books and guides say that Russians should be fed a primary diet of broad leaf weeds for purposes of fiber, etc, and that store bought produce (lettuces mixes, broccoli, carrots) should only make up about 20% of their diet.

The problem is, I live in the Santa Cruz mountains near San Jose, and all the weeds around us are thorny. My yard is covered in blackberry and other brush, all which contain thorns, even on the leaves themselves. I've offered these to my Russians, but they just won't go for it.

Any ideas on what I can safely feed them during periods when I can't find weeds?

LOL. That IS a problem. My advice to you is to start growing weeds in trays indoors. I just planted some chicory seeds two days ago and they have already sprouted. I purchased them on ebay. Tortoise seed mixes with many different types of weeds are available.
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Spider

Fantastic! Thanks for the info. I didn't know you could buy a seed pack of tortoise weeds. Just found someone on the internets and placed an order.

I have a pretty good supply of weeds here in the midwest, but they often fade out in the heat of the summer.

I then resort to grocery greens such as dark lettuces, collards, endive, kale. I'll also add in some pellets like Pretty Pets, Rep Cal and Mazuri.

If I can find it I'll also use cactus pads. Remove spines, of course.

I think the key is variety. Don't feed them just collards or just pellets, for example. And add in some calcium.

timelord, I was raised just to the East of you in Santa Clara valley, so I have some idea of what grows near you. Get to know the weeds in your area, sow thistle, clover and plantain are abundant. Grow some collards, maybe some chicory, some turnips (the "green" variety, not the root variety. If you have a sunny exposure, and good drainage with sandy soil i.e. Scott's valley?, you might grow some spineless cactus. Check out stores near Watsonville or Gilroy, they may have "nopales" for sale. Plant some Sedums, various succulents, good food if you have well drained soil. I often found weeds in your area for food after they had long since dried up in the S.C. valley. You can grow a lot with the correct "microclimate", sunny area next to your house, SW exposure?... good luck, Vic

Grow some Allysum, some Nasturtium, some lavatera, some pansies. All do well in your area. Get rid of some of that blackberry, make more room for cultivars. I know it's not easy...Vic

Hay Vic,its Vic! Sounds like you know your plants.Do you know other environments other than your area? What will grow in heavy shade in a very tanic Florida Cypress low land swamp.I get flooded and end up with MUD.I found a quick sprouting grass,but its thin like winter ry,and the torts.pull it up roots and dirt.Natural stuff will come back but I need something new that is fast and holds up to the weather (hot) and tortoise traffic. Vic.... pic of seed planted "brown top"?? This grass is only about two weeks old. Tortoise and Man much older.

hey VicMor...put some kudzu on a boat, they grow a foot a day...

I have poison ivy and oak! They love it.I have to heard them from one enclosure to another so it can re-grow.Looking for something more people friendly.When people visit and we walk the tortoise areas looking for Mt.Tortoises they always bring home something to remember.Some never return!lol Vic Mc'Mountain....pic notice what i'm squating on

Vic, you are always good for a chuckle and usually good tortoise advice. This drainage stuff applies to both of you guys. No, I don't know about the Southern gardening, except to say do what you can to increase drainage. To grow crops, build a wood box (get free wood during one of your floods, hurricanes?), and back fill it with a sandy mix of soil and keep adding organic matter, you can grow a lot! You need to elevate the soil level above the soggy yard... Also you can make little islands with rock or concrete block, backfill it with soil (well drained) and plant hybiscus or other plants. If you make the stacks of rock stout and high, you might be able to get them established before your marauding tortoise trash them. Your tortoises will have something to hope for, waiting for a branch or blossom to droop low enough for eating. Collards are famous in the deep South, they may be worth a try. Spineless cactus too IF you improve drainage, otherwise it will rot in the ground. Call your Ag extension service, and ask the "master gardeners" the same Q, they will know... BTW, it looks awful, but you can grow great plants in old tires stacked two or 3 high and backfilled with soil...Good luck, you will solve this over time if you salvage the wood or concrete block for boxes etc.

Thanks,I'd love to get a tractor back there when its dry.I could make a swale and build up the sides with some sand.The island with concreat blocks sounds good,they wouldnt rot.Come on over and we'll get started! In another area I dug a pond for some fill,maybe I'll enlarge it.I've only been here 4 yrs.and still working out the bugs..or floods in this case.At my old place the city GAVE ME $5000.00 to build a dranage ditch along the back of my land.I built a swale to it and everything improved bigtime.No more mud and it made an "landing strip" for "Giant Wood Storks" Maybe I'll luck up again.Stop by if in Florida.Vic McMountain

I just thought of a great weed for you, it is Mallo neglecta, and folks at the golfcourse I once worked at called it cheese weed. It grows short if mowed, and big and bushy if in fertile soil. Will do well in medium and better in full sun. Very abundant in your area, ask around, someone will have it as a weed in their yard, edge of farmers field. If you can't find it on your own, PM me early next Spring and I'll get you some seed. I learned a lot about weeds/plants from the tortoise hobby, a good weed book is helpful. It is great cover and good food. Good luck, it is obvious you are a responsible keeper and trying hard to do the right thing. Vic H.

Cheese weed,ok I'll find it1 I'm going to the farmers tomorrow for mellons I'll look for it.Thanks I have been known to go "all out" for them.Do you go to the Daytona Expo? Vic......pic of juvy enclosures

Vic, I was trying to tell Time-lord about the Malva neglecta or cheese weed, as I know his locale well and it would grow there for sure. I don't know about Florida, but I sure think your juvenile pens look great! You might want to feed some water hyacinth, which I am told grows in plague proportions in your beleagured by invasive species State. My herd likes it, especially the flowers. If I feed a lot of it, they sometimes pass it with minimal digestion. It seems like your yard and climate would be great for hibiscus?

Daytona sounds like THE happening herp event, I hope to do it one day and maybe we can cross paths. I retire in two years, and it will be traveling time...and I would like to see more of your faire state. I would be thrilled to meet your emmys...Vic H. (extreme So. Cal, low desert)