Substrates

[EJ]

I keep reading that a diet should be restricted. It would be helpful to suggest what it should be restricted to considering the temperature at which the tortoise is kept... the genetic makeup of the tortoise... the personality of the tortoise... the nutritional makeup of the food being fed...

I've learned through the experience gained by myself and that obtained from others in addition to research and observation of free range tortoises that with a nutritionally balanced diet a tortoise cannot be overfed.

Originally Posted by Anita Sayles

Pyramiding aside do not not think it is unwise to keep a tortoise in optimal conditions on a table and feed large quantities of food... my understanding is that even a natural, correct, proper diet can be overfed, therefore should be restricted.

[Doodle-Bug]

I use this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90231416/# now, the breeder my girls came from did the research and its all natural, no additives etc, it looks just like soil but my girls are never dirty as it does not stick like soil does. It is alot lighter than soil to.

[EJ]

Ground Coconut hull... at a fantastic price I might add. I use it for frogs and reptiles which require high humidity. It does get dusty if not kept damp but it holds moisture better than plain soil.

Originally Posted by Doodle-Bug

I use this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90231416/# now, the breeder my girls came from did the research and its all natural, no additives etc, it looks just like soil but my girls are never dirty as it does not stick like soil does. It is alot lighter than soil to.

[yuna1971]

I like crushed oystershell in the basking area...Lily likes the white. xx

[TaylorWRP]

Doodle - you just made me a happy boy! Dirt cheap that is!!! thanks for your input

Anita, I took EJ's advice and did more research. I have come to the conclusion that if the tortoise is fed the correct and proper diet with added supplements such as calcium, vitamins and so forth...then large portions of food can gladly be fed without causing further damage to the tortoise such as pyramiding or MBD. Providing the tortoise has a large enough enclosure to exercise within and the correct lighting and heating then no issues should be caused from feeding larger portions rather than restricting their meals. My enclosure has rocks to climb, flexi-stick log hides turned verticle to create a bendy wall-like appearance which tempts the tortoise to investigate what is behind there. The more they have to do the more they can exercise. Which I assume would help.

Originally Posted by Anita Sayles

Pyramiding aside do not not think it is unwise to keep a tortoise in optimal conditions on a table and feed large quantities of food... my understanding is that even a natural, correct, proper diet can be overfed, therefore should be restricted.

[nooddle]

You can also get bricks of coco fibre from pets at home for those of you who, like me, don't have an ikea near by.

[Anita Sayles]

I have come to the conclusion that if the tortoise is fed the correct and proper diet with added supplements such as calcium, vitamins and so forth...then large portions of food can gladly be fed without causing further damage to the tortoise such as pyramiding or MBD. Providing the tortoise has a large enough enclosure to exercise within and the correct lighting and heating then no issues should be caused from feeding larger portions rather than restricting their meals.

Just be careful what you are doing, remember in the wild it's not hot everyday. It can very often be overcast/cooler and then tortoises are in their hides and don't move around much, eat little if anything... I know we are 'not in the wild' but there is a danger a pet tortoise can be overfed. I haven't had Marley long so I'm far from experienced, but I replicate cooler conditions a couple of days a week and don't fed my tortoise. I personally think slow growth is good, but as I said that's my opinion
I may be going wrong, I have researched like you and have drawn these conclusions... I guess time will tell. Trouble is if you make a booby there's not really any going back is there

[tootsieroll61]

Originally Posted by EJ

If kept dry and changed every month or two... hay can make a great substrate. When I hibernate my tortoises I use hay. I also use it for the tortoises that like to be burried. I use bermuda hay which they also nibble on.

I use hay or similar Graze on or graze on Gold , I have a few that like to bury them selves and they love it

[tootsieroll61]

Originally Posted by Doodle-Bug

I use this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90231416/# now, the breeder my girls came from did the research and its all natural, no additives etc, it looks just like soil but my girls are never dirty as it does not stick like soil does. It is alot lighter than soil to.

Thanks for sharing that , Going to try some of this

[houseofcutler]

Originally Posted by Doodle-Bug

I use this http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90231416/# now, the breeder my girls came from did the research and its all natural, no additives etc, it looks just like soil but my girls are never dirty as it does not stick like soil does. It is alot lighter than soil to.

Another thanks for sharing that sounds great and so cheap too