Enough food to cover the shell - Page 3

**16 shells** · 27-08-2011, 07:26 AM

Interesting photo's there before and after

. I notice that the flower head of the Sedum has not been relished, this sometimes gives a clue, if they need it, or should have it or not in other Tort's

.

Watermelon · 27-08-2011, 11:26 AM

Thanks Paul, yes they never eat the flowers on the sedum...they ate like piggys yesterday!

ScotiaTheOne · 27-08-2011, 12:00 PM

Wow, that's quite a lot! Imagine eating a plant that was bigger than you lol. Thanks for photos and info

EJ · 27-08-2011, 06:04 PM

Natural is best in a very limited sense. Restricting diet is also not a natural behavior.

A friend of mine just sent me an exerpt from a book called Small Animal Clinical Nutrition... Chapter 71... Nutrition of Reptiles. For those of you who can get your hands on it... you might be surprised what Vets are recommending. I'm proud to say there's quite a bit of my rhetoric that shows up in the paper. It's also ironic there are quite a few vets in the UK who feel the same way... but I guess the casual keeper knows better.

Much of the material seems to be out of Dr. Douglas Maders book.

NATURALIS · 27-08-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/s..._advice_15.asp

Here you go , take a look at this site for feeding natural weed's . It cover's all you need to know. hope it helps

EJ · 27-08-2011, 08:03 PM

I'm always here to answer your questions as to why the shell goes soft or why the tortoise is not growing or why it is producing to much urates. Choose your tortoises nutritional needs wisely because when the symptoms show up... it's usually too late.

I will make that paper available as a pdf... it's a little less biased than some inforfmation.

NATURALIS · 27-08-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

This is from someone that know's what there talking about
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/webdiet.htm
and this might help,
http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/Diet.htm

Watermelon · 27-08-2011, 08:15 PM

I hate the turtle pic that was fed on dog food, so awful.

EJ · 27-08-2011, 08:58 PM

I think I've established that I have an idea what I'm talking about when you consider my two books are in their 3rd or forth printing... probably more so if you look up that nutritional manual for vets. It spells it right out that the newer formulated diets are better for the new keeper than that keeper trying to figure out all the nutritional needs for that tortoise... there are less unknowns and way more chances of survival of the little tortoise... and I don't have to reference some link... this is first hand knowledge and experience.

For further clarification... The formulated diet is better for the new keeper until they can get a full grasp of what is involved with providing a 'natural' diet. A natural diet is probably better for the tortoise in the long run IF the keeper actually knows what is involved... nutritionist and vets even admit that there is a huge fudge factor when feeding a 'natural' diet. Providing a good natural diet is quite difficult for a tortoise that is not free range.

EJ · 27-08-2011, 09:00 PM

Keep in mind the photos are used for shock value in some publications. Those that are worth something are there for education and illustration. How often does any person encounter that situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watermelon

I hate the turtle pic that was fed on dog food, so awful.

27-08-2011, 07:26 AM	#21
16 shells Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hull Posts: 7,286	Interesting photo's there before and after . I notice that the flower head of the Sedum has not been relished, this sometimes gives a clue, if they need it, or should have it or not in other Tort's . __________________ Paul.

27-08-2011, 06:04 PM	#24
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	Natural is best in a very limited sense. Restricting diet is also not a natural behavior. A friend of mine just sent me an exerpt from a book called Small Animal Clinical Nutrition... Chapter 71... Nutrition of Reptiles. For those of you who can get your hands on it... you might be surprised what Vets are recommending. I'm proud to say there's quite a bit of my rhetoric that shows up in the paper. It's also ironic there are quite a few vets in the UK who feel the same way... but I guess the casual keeper knows better. Much of the material seems to be out of Dr. Douglas Maders book. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

27-08-2011, 08:03 PM	#26
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	I'm always here to answer your questions as to why the shell goes soft or why the tortoise is not growing or why it is producing to much urates. Choose your tortoises nutritional needs wisely because when the symptoms show up... it's usually too late. I will make that paper available as a pdf... it's a little less biased than some inforfmation. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

27-08-2011, 08:58 PM	#29
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	I think I've established that I have an idea what I'm talking about when you consider my two books are in their 3rd or forth printing... probably more so if you look up that nutritional manual for vets. It spells it right out that the newer formulated diets are better for the new keeper than that keeper trying to figure out all the nutritional needs for that tortoise... there are less unknowns and way more chances of survival of the little tortoise... and I don't have to reference some link... this is first hand knowledge and experience. For further clarification... The formulated diet is better for the new keeper until they can get a full grasp of what is involved with providing a 'natural' diet. A natural diet is probably better for the tortoise in the long run IF the keeper actually knows what is involved... nutritionist and vets even admit that there is a huge fudge factor when feeding a 'natural' diet. Providing a good natural diet is quite difficult for a tortoise that is not free range. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

27-08-2011, 11:26 AM	#22
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	Thanks Paul, yes they never eat the flowers on the sedum...they ate like piggys yesterday!

27-08-2011, 12:00 PM	#23
ScotiaTheOne Junior Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 30	Wow, that's quite a lot! Imagine eating a plant that was bigger than you lol. Thanks for photos and info

27-08-2011, 08:15 PM	#28
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	I hate the turtle pic that was fed on dog food, so awful.

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