Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all. I am a new sulcata owner...have snakes and a BTS, but new to tortoises!

i have him on timothy hay bedding. tonight i offered him/her collard greens, timothy hay, and mazuri mixed up. He fell asleep.

How does everyone feel about mazuri.

Also, what does everyone feel are good temps. Basking and normal?

Everyone has a different opinion. I am also using repcal calcium powder.
He is less than a year old
thanks
Hunter

Everything I have read about Sulcatas indicates that they require a low protein high fiber diet. Mazuri tortoise diet has 15% protein which is Way to high for sulcatas. What might be great for species such as redfoots is not always right for others... like the sulcata. Too much protein (along with lack of UVA/UVB exposure and lack of Ca, etc...) can lead to pyrimiding, which causes health problems down the line... Sulcatas are suppose to grow slowly, excess protein will cause them to have a rapid rate of growth, which is not always the best thing (health wise, etc...). My sulcata is nearing 2 years old and 4 inches long. His diet is mainly grasses, which I grow, along with a variety of weeds, and I also add a little bit of collards and Ca. He has no pyrimiding at all, and is a great little tort! All the info stated above is just what i have gathered over the last few years from books, websites, and most importantly herpetologists and breeders. I have been told that Mazuri is not right for sulcatas. Good luck with your new little friend, and I hope your tort has a long and healthy life!!!

I just found this stuff by Ectotherm (www.ectotherm.com or http://www.ectotherm.com/grassland.htm) that is made for grassland/desert tortoises! My sulcata seems to love it! The nutrition info seems perfect for them too! Has anyone else tried this stuff?

>>I just found this stuff by Ectotherm (www.ectotherm.com or http://www.ectotherm.com/grassland.htm) that is made for grassland/desert tortoises! My sulcata seems to love it! The nutrition info seems perfect for them too! Has anyone else tried this stuff?
_there has been one or two posts in da past about this brand, none of them were negative (tmk)...but it sounds like some folks out there had to opt for (frozen/process?) greens because of where they live (apartment/concrete jungle?) gardening are virtually NonExistenz...