Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been feeding my small star tort everyday on a mixture of Mazuri, PrettyPals and MonsterDiet. (He stays outside with fresh grass and weeds all day, I bring him in at night.) It says on the package designed by vets and zoos- Is that OK? A reputable breeder told me to only feed him Mazuri only once a week!

Why feed it to him at all?

I dunno...I just have never been one to go for those packaged foods. Freeze-dried crickets, turtle-treats, etc. It all seems like crap to me. Expensive crap usually too!

There is another thread in here somewhere where a tortoise owner started feeding his tortoise Mazuri, and now it does not want to eat anything else.

Kids like candy...just because they like it does nt mean they should eat it. Right?

>>Why feed it to him at all?

That's what I wonder. If you''ll compare the labels of the tortoise pellet foods to dog food labels you'll find there isn't much difference. These pellet diets aren't based on scientific field trials as dog foods have been studied for 75 years or more. With tortoise/turtle foods there's no real scientific studies to back them up.

Another thing I don't like about the pellet diets is that they're made for one size to fit all but they can't fit all.
South American tropical species require a totally different diet from African grassland desert species. Some tortoise species require a small percentage of animal protein in the diet which means they aren't 100% herbivore as most tortoise species are.
So why are all of these different species of tortoises eating the same pellets?

Real food, fresh foods, organic foods if possible that are as close to each species specific needs are the best things to feed them.
Just MHO
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PHRatz

Definitely wrong on this count.

There are a few grain based diets that are definitely based on scientific data. You would be right is saying that there is relatively little published scientific data. Mazuri tortoise diet is constantly being tweaked and has been in development for well over 20 years... This is why I trust it after years of hunting for a good balanced diet for my tortoises. This diet was originally developed to headstart Galapagos Tortoises. I've found way more benefit to using the diet than not using it so far but I'm still looking hard at it.

While the ingredients might look like the same it is the ratio and the usable components that are the keys. Any vertebrate is going to need certain components to develop... does it really matter where those components come from?

>>>>Why feed it to him at all?
>>
>>That's what I wonder. If you''ll compare the labels of the tortoise pellet foods to dog food labels you'll find there isn't much difference. These pellet diets aren't based on scientific field trials as dog foods have been studied for 75 years or more. With tortoise/turtle foods there's no real scientific studies to back them up.
>>
>>Another thing I don't like about the pellet diets is that they're made for one size to fit all but they can't fit all.
>> South American tropical species require a totally different diet from African grassland desert species. Some tortoise species require a small percentage of animal protein in the diet which means they aren't 100% herbivore as most tortoise species are.
>> So why are all of these different species of tortoises eating the same pellets?
>>
>>Real food, fresh foods, organic foods if possible that are as close to each species specific needs are the best things to feed them.
>>Just MHO
>>-----
>>PHRatz
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I don't think you should feed any one item on a daily basis although you could get away with it with the Mazuri if you limit the amount you feed at each feeding.

I feed it once or twice a week as much as they can eat in one sitting. Then I remove the remains. They then have access to grasses at all other times.

Someone mentioned that it was expensive. At $14 for a 25lb bag I don't think that's too expensive.

>>I've been feeding my small star tort everyday on a mixture of Mazuri, PrettyPals and MonsterDiet. (He stays outside with fresh grass and weeds all day, I bring him in at night.) It says on the package designed by vets and zoos- Is that OK? A reputable breeder told me to only feed him Mazuri only once a week!
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thanks for your input- I love my little tort and want him to benefit from all the best he can get- I just don't believe grocery store veggies are enough. I will offer both to him throughout. He likes it- and if the GalTorts have it for its nutritional value that sounds great. Thanks for your experienced knowledged shared!

I will allow my tort to have a breakfast serving then clear the plate remains- the rest of the day he can feed on the grasses and weeds of his enclosure. That sounds well rounded : )

>>I don't think you should feed any one item on a daily basis although you could get away with it with the Mazuri if you limit the amount you feed at each feeding.
>>
>>I feed it once or twice a week as much as they can eat in one sitting. Then I remove the remains. They then have access to grasses at all other times.

Being a nay sayer here, I tend to forget that other people don't always live in a place that's similar to their tortoise's native land. I am lucky enough to have adopted an African desert species while living in a desert.
I looked at the Mazuri website, at least their info does not recommend that the pellet they produce is a one size fits all tortoise food and that's a good thing IMO.
I still wouldn't use it but I don't need to. Everything I need for my tortoise is growing right here for her.
You aren't recommending it as the only food source so I'll shut up about it now.
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PHRatz

I've used Mazuri, Pretty Pets and Repcal.

I agree with another poster - they are all made from the same old pet food ingredients of convenience (corn, soy, oats, etc.) mashed together into an easy to serve item. Topped off with added vitamins and minerals to overcome the deficiencies of these ingredients.

Mazuri recommends feeding the item along with hay and grasses. also some fruits and vegetables can be added.

I've raised russians that are healthy and reproducing using little to no pelleted foods. I can get by without it. Right now I add RepCal to their diet about once a month after soaking it and rolling it in calcium powder. It's a convenient way to get the extra calcium into them.

I think I could cut back to once a century and they'd do just as well. They also nibble on cuttlebone.

My final evaluation (as I've said before): It's nothing special. If you've got a variety of weeds and grasses to feed your herbivorous tortoise - just keep doing that. It seems (I may be wrong) that most people who feed Mazuri use it far less than recommended by the company.

What I'd like to make clear is that those who recommend this diet have used it and have seen results. Those that don't recommend the diet, do so because of their beliefs. Their oppinion does not seem to be based on bad results.

Yup, you can do just fine without using prepared diets but at the cost of a much greater workload and much more guesswork.

>>I've used Mazuri, Pretty Pets and Repcal.
>>
>>I agree with another poster - they are all made from the same old pet food ingredients of convenience (corn, soy, oats, etc.) mashed together into an easy to serve item. Topped off with added vitamins and minerals to overcome the deficiencies of these ingredients.
>>
>>Mazuri recommends feeding the item along with hay and grasses. also some fruits and vegetables can be added.
>>
>>I've raised russians that are healthy and reproducing using little to no pelleted foods. I can get by without it. Right now I add RepCal to their diet about once a month after soaking it and rolling it in calcium powder. It's a convenient way to get the extra calcium into them.
>>
>>I think I could cut back to once a century and they'd do just as well. They also nibble on cuttlebone.
>>
>>My final evaluation (as I've said before): It's nothing special. If you've got a variety of weeds and grasses to feed your herbivorous tortoise - just keep doing that. It seems (I may be wrong) that most people who feed Mazuri use it far less than recommended by the company.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

"What I'd like to make clear is that those who recommend this diet have used it and have seen results. Those that don't recommend the diet, do so because of their beliefs. Their opinion does not seem to be based on bad results." - EJ

You know, that is a very good point, and a well-stated one too. I am one of those nay-sayers when it comes to the pre-packaged foods such as Mazuri, but your comments have made me reconsider my position.

While I would never consider making Mazuri (or any other tortoise chow) a major component of my tortoise's diet, I am now considering getting some and adding it to his diet in small quantities. Maybe a SMALL handfull a couple times per week.