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SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1

It seems (Not necessarily directed at the previous writer) That some people love to play God and feel they can change nature. Ie. Making a tropical species live as a desert one.(Or a Farm one).

Problems with your request....

Nutritional value -It has little -like Iceburg lettuce.

It is a dry food- Corucia do best on a high-moisture food indictive of the tropical conditions near the equator.

That is why Alfalfa is given often to Sulcata Tortoises. They are a desert species virtually never drinking standing water. Also, there metabolism has evolved to eating dry grasses with little nutritional value. Soft foods give them the runs and other digestional disorders. Pyramiding can also be a potential result of this improper diet. In feeding Alfalfa primarily to Corucia, you are creating the problem in reverse. Don't try to change your animal to an unnatural diet because it is convenient or 'cool' to try.

Stay the course with the proper diet. The search engines can be your guide. If you can find what you need after going there, come back-Ask-And we will be happy to help you.

Based on this question, You may need essential guidence in other aspects of keeping Corucia. This is a species requiring special care. Do not approach this lightly. Always ask ahead of time.

Good luck with your new Corucia.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Also, again, If dried Alfafa is being used- most likely Corucia would not even touch it.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Brain,
THank you for your help with my question. I never really intended to feed dry alalfa to a PTS. I heard in the iguana forum that you can soak it in water for a while and then it will be better suited for consumption. I remember reading somewhere that alfalfa had a high nutritional content, but I may be thinking of something else. If it has a similar nutritional content to iceberg, it will never find its way into my home. I had no intention of trying to turn a PTS into a tortise or a rabbit or anything. I was merely seeing whether or not alalfa would be a good food to add something to the diet. Since it appears alfalfa would be a bad addition to a PTS diet, so I won't use it. I have been coming to this forum for some time now to find additional information on PTS and you alwas seem to be the one posting new information. I have been studing PTS for some time now in books and on the net, so new information is rare. I have come to respect you from my time on this forum, and I have to say, your comments were somewhat hurtful. I realize Corucia zebrata is a special species, with special requrements. That is why I want to help this species, it is special. I appreciate your comments and opinons.
Thank you for your help, jrbl

P.S. I was wondering if you know what the nutritional content of pothos, Epipremnum aureum, or its wild counterpart Epipremnum pinnatum? I was just curious, becasue it seems that it is the main food item PTS eat in the wild and it would make sense for them to eat something good for them. I have heard that people feed pothos to their PTS, so I was just wondering what people are feeding them. Thanks again

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

It is not my intention to hurt others. If I was too harsh and insulting, then you have my sincere apologies.

What is it specifically you wish to know on Pothos? It is Corucia's main staple. They have evolved to handle the toxins of this plant. The effects of the poisons can be seen by the Brown color of their pee which is normally clear otherwise. In other words, one should not give pothes to other species-ie. Iguanas who would have problems handling the toxins. I know of a person who tried it wanting to know what 'It would Do' and became deathly ill.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Brian,
Thank you for the apology, but it was probably unnessesary. When I read your reply, it was quite late, or should I say early. Your remark just hit me a little hard. About the pothos, I wanted to know, what if any nutritional value does it contain? Thank you again for your help, jrbl

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Hi,

Again, Pothos can be very nutritional-provided the species is from a region where Pothos is found and as such, has a natural immunity to it.

I see Pothos recommended in very small amount to Ig's but personally I Don't recommend it. Over the course of time, it could act as a slow poison to an Iguana. Why take the chance?

Again, I DO feel an apology was in order. Thanks for your graciousness.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

I've searched and searched and been unable to uncover any nutritional analysis of Pothos. Perhaps someone here would like to pony up the cash and have one done?

As for your original question, regarding alfalfa: I agree that dried alfalfa has no place as a component of a Corcia's diet, but fresh alfalfa (especially sprouts) is incredibly nutritious. Fresh, raw alfalfa is higher in protein than most greens and is loaded with vitamins and minerals. I buy a tub of it every other week or so and mix it into the salad for my skinks.

-Z

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hello again,

IF you wanted to use Alfalfa, apply it in powered form over your standard Corucia menu (On Occasion). As a supplement and in this form, You can run with it.

Brian Lee

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