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I'm posting this here since this seems to be where the action is even though I posted it on another segment of the tortoise forum.

I live in Southern California and have Russians, Greeks, Hermans, and Marginateds. For many years, I gave them defrosted frozen mixed vegetables with what seemed like no ill effects. However, a couple of years ago, I was told by a breeder of Marginateds and Greeks that the lima beans, string beans, and peas in the mixed vegetables cause kidney damage to the tortoises. Since that time, I have not fed my tortoises the mixed vegetables. Yet, I continue to see many ads on Kingsnake showing tortoises being fed mixed vegetables. Can anyone tell me what the story is on mixed vegetables? Is it safe to feed them to tortoises? Thanks
David

I know that freezing veggies or canning them causes them to lose nutrients (check the label and you will see they have no vitamins in them).
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

The vegetables in most"frozen mixed" varieties are low in fiber and calcium deficient. Peas and beans are a little too high in protein to be a large part of the diet.

It shouldn't be a regular part of the diet. And since there are usually other items at the store that are a little better (greens, endive, etc.), there isn't much reason to use them.

But I have thrown in a few chunks of thawed veggies when a reluctant animal has needed a splash of color from the corn and carrots to get him interested.

...the occasion eleven hours wouldn't hurt as long as they are not overstuffed...

Freezing removes vit B other then that there is no loss...but remember the quality matters, there is varying quality of frozen vegetables...crap in crap out.
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