Hi everyone... I rarely post because my tortoise "cred" pales in comparison to most of the more frequent posters, but I wanted to offer a counter-point to this comment.

I think it is important to note that the question was specifically regarding Mazuri and not other pelletized foods. Mazuri's ingredients are easily available, and you can find that they are not deficient in several of the ways that Mandolynn has indicated like ca ratio, magnesium, or high protein (keep in mind that dry weight measurements will show higher percentage than what is in fresh greens, and this protein is also non-animal vegetative protein).

I believe the link is to an excerpt from A.C. Highfields "encyclopedia" or one of the books specifically regarding nutrition which are great resources and I've read multiple times. But my encyclopedia had a first edition in 1996, and some of the material on commercial diets may not reflect the current nutrtion of mazuri.

My tortoises love the stuff, I usually use it as a base to which I add other things. That way foods they would be picky about have a more familiar smell. I haven't noticed abnormally accelerated growth from my tortoies that rely heavily on mazuri... I think the high fiber content more closely reflects the fiber content of their wild diet, and because it is not as easily digestible, may result in slowed growth. The tortoises that won't take mazuri are the ones that seem to have accelerated growth and loose stools due to the lack of fiber in store greens (Many people who keep their tortoises inside over winter on store greens alone can sympathize with the runny poops)

As for the type of fatty acids, acidifying effects, and altered vitamin D metabolism, I can't say how Mazuir effects those things one way or another... I just don't know much about it. Of course, I agree in general with Mandolynn's stance that commercial diets are not preferred and variety is important, but Mazuri seems to be a nutritionally balanced commercial diet which provides the fiber that my tortoises aren't getting otherwise. Anyone agree or disagree?

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