Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is sort of a confusing thing for me--I read that the optimal calcium to phosphorous ratio in a tortoise's diet is about 5:1. How exactly would I supplement my tort's diet to make sure (or at least try) to come closest to this ratio? Right now the vitamin powder I put on his food has about a 2:1 calcium-phosphorous ratio. Would I be better off just giving him straight calcium carbonate, like grinding up cuttlebone and putting that on his food instead? I'm not sure how calcium and phosphorous work together (or against each other?) or why there should be that much more calcium than phosphorous in a tortoise's diet, so if anyone can tell me I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Hey... check this out...
http://www.shady-acres.com/susan/Calcium-Phosphorus.shtml
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Before you tie yourself up in knots trying to hit that ratio let me give you some answers that make it pretty easy for you and your charges.

First, that ratio is designed for Mediterranean torts since they come from a part of the world that is basically a limestone bed covered with soil. You can hit that ratio or easily exceed it by feeding your torts a mix of organically grown dandelion, chopped opuntia cactus pads, grape leaves, and plantain. So depending on where you live three of those four should be pretty easy to find and as long as they are not being sprayed with a pesticide you're in good shape. Rotate in romaine, escarole, radicchio, or any other dark green and that mix and your ratio should be anywhere from 5-8:1. Add WalkAbout Farms, www.herpnutrition.com, mix (either Grassland or Forest Tort mix) depending on your species to the above greens and you don't need to add any calcium supplements. That way they get plenty of calcium AND higher fiber.