How much do feed a 3 inch hermanns?

[markbigears]

I looked but can't find a definite answer. Can he graze all day on leafy / weed produce? or do i just fill his food pot up and if so what size do I buy?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by markbigears

I looked but can't find a definite answer. Can he graze all day on leafy / weed produce? or do i just fill his food pot up and if so what size do I buy?

When my tortoises are inside, they get fed once a day, as they dont move around as much as they do when they are out.
Outside I have enough weeds for my tortoises to graze (which is the natural way for them to feed) and dont feed anything other than what they can find. When weeds are scarcer then I will put out food again once a day.
Tortoises in the wild dont feed every day. They also feed with the seasons, so food varies thoughout the year.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi Mark. What I do is to feed one meal per day but it is a generous one and if the tortoise eats everything and is still looking hungry I would put more down. The way I do it, the meal ends when the tortoise doesn't seem very interested in the food.

Some keepers here say they don't have any limits at all and my own opinion is that when feeding leafy / weedy stuff then there isn't a high risk of harm if 'too much' is given.

I know you are asking about leafy / weedy foods but even so I think it's important to point out that some man-made foods for tortoises seem to be incredibly tasty to them. My opinion is that this is when serious problems can happen. If such foods are used the amount really must be carefully limited.

Tortoises are very much individuals too. Some of them seem destined to eat a lot and grow quicker than others.

[markbigears]

Can I ask, when you say one meal a day, what amount might that be? I just don't want to overfeed the poor thing and lead to pyramiding or do you only encounter this with wrong foodstuffs?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by markbigears

Can I ask, when you say one meal a day, what amount might that be? I just don't want to overfeed the poor thing and lead to pyramiding or do you only encounter this with wrong foodstuffs?

For one tortoise enough to cover their shell is a guide.

[markbigears]

Excellent Sandy, just what i was after!

[Ozric Jonathan]

Originally Posted by markbigears

Can I ask, when you say one meal a day, what amount might that be? I just don't want to overfeed the poor thing and lead to pyramiding or do you only encounter this with wrong foodstuffs?

In my opinion pyramiding is much more likely with the wrong foodstuffs.

Pre Alpin is a sort of natural food and it's very high in fibre and low in protein like the wild diet. I believe this stuff can be fed quite freely without worrying about over feeding. It's available from the shelled warriors shop. Some keepers say their torts won't it.

[markbigears]

Ozric, I am going to buy some pre alpine from the shop. Do you have any experience with this food > Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food, seen quite a few owners use it.

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi Mark, no I haven't used that one. Had a quick look at the Zoo med site which lists the ingredients. I think this is what they call a complete food, Vit D etc is already added. I would say this looks better than a lot of the manufactured foods. Fibre is high, fat is low, protein I would call moderate at 9%.

[markbigears]

The only other one i see recommended on various sites is T Rex