Enough food to cover the shell

[ScotiaTheOne]

Hey guys

In anticipation of getting my first tort (yay) on saturday, I was wondering how much I should feed him/her each day.

I think I know what to feed it, but dunno how much. I've heard 'enough to cover the shell' - could someone please upload a photo for me next time they feed their tort to show the food on their shell?

Is probably a silly question, but his amount could mean a couple of things and I'd just rather be safe than sorry.

Cheers!

[Watermelon]

I give more than just to cover the shell. My two hermanns are about a year old. Typically in a day I'll give them 2 big leaves such as dandelion, one or 2 flowers and some smaller leaves like plantain or pansy.

[Pussygalore]

watermelon, can I just point out that you really need to feed far more variety, you should aim for at least 5 different plants a day and those shouldn't be the same everyday. Dandelions although a good addition are a diuretic and as such should be fed with moderation, if you want to feed a plant alone diet then maybe think about growing from seed there are some very good seed mixes in the shelled shop and you can get a far wider variety. I actually think that using pellets once or twice a week can make up the shortfall in a plant alone diet for those that maybe can't get the variety needed.

[Watermelon]

I do feed mine typically about 4 - 5 different plants each day.... then the next day I will feed them something else. They do not get dandelion very often and most of my plants the weeds in particulour I do not need to grow.... as I have an enormous garden full of weeds. In the winter time I will grow weeds indoors. All my flowers are mostly grown from seeds, the rest of flowers I feed are picked from around where I live or I buy from garden centres or morrisons because they are not treated. The only thing I am interested in buying is prickly pear cactus powder to sprinkle on food and when I decide to buy it I will try buy from Dawn Fletcher first if I can get the paypal sorted.

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by Watermelon

The only thing I am interested in buying is prickly pear cactus powder to sprinkle on food and when I decide to buy it I will try buy from Dawn Fletcher first if I can get the paypal sorted.

I have never heard of that used for tortoises.. but it might well be. I know it's a body building supplement for body builders

[Pussygalore]

is a prickly pear the same as oputia or however its spelt? if so I think its sold in our shop

[Watermelon]

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/s....asp?catID=262

In a powder form because it takes ages to grow.

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by Pussygalore

is a prickly pear the same as oputia or however its spelt? if so I think its sold in our shop

Aye it's the same thing (cactus)

Originally Posted by Watermelon

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/s....asp?catID=262

In a powder form because it takes ages to grow.

I've never seen it in powder form for tortoises, only for body builders.

Some opuntias are fast growing, the opuntia ficus indica is the slow one

[Pussygalore]

sarah sells it Alan in the shelled shop

[onarock]

I feed until my tortoises quit eating. Keep offering food until you get a feel for how much he/she is eating. For hatchlings I feed cactus, Mazuri and weeds mainly and grass is always available along with hibiscus flowers and leaves. It will take a few feedings but you will figure it out.