Slugs

rupert · 02-03-2008, 10:56 PM

Hi, my first post.
I have a 5yr old Horsfield. In the summer he spends sunny days in the garden, but last year I found him eating the odd slug. He seemed in a bad way with slime all over his face and maybe blocking his nose. It looked quite bad. Are slugs bad for tortoises, maybe even dangerous? If so how do I stop him eating them and how does one get rid of slugs? I fear pellets are poisonous?

Thanks,

**Eire_Ade** · 02-03-2008, 11:01 PM

Hi Rupert,

Welcome to Shelled Warriors.

Tortoises will eat slugs and snails from time to time, dont feed them on purpose as they contain protein which is bad for med tortoises.

Definately do not put slug pellets down, these will kill your tortoise if eaten directly or by a slug which had died on them and then eaten by your tortoise.

Has your tortoise got free reign of the whole garden?

Ade

rupert · 02-03-2008, 11:10 PM

Yes , he can go anywhere when I let him out ( on warm days). I see Horsfields dig, but mine doesn't -so far. That's Essex clay for you.

**Eire_Ade** · 02-03-2008, 11:15 PM

Hi Rupert,

For tortoise safety it might be wise to section off a good sized enclosure which would be secure for your tortoise.

At least this way you will know that the tortoise enclosure would be 100% secure and tortoise freindly planted.

You can also set slug traps without the treat of your tortoise getting poisoned in the process.

Ade

sandy · 03-03-2008, 07:10 AM

Lol I would keep a close eye on his favourite places in his enclosure, as has been said
horsfields are notorious for digging down when temps drop.

Ted · 03-03-2008, 08:05 AM

mine have occasionally eaten snails and yes, as they are being eaten they do foam all over the torts

they don't do any harm but should only be eaten by the torts very rarely.

lilacgeorge · 03-03-2008, 12:40 PM

NEMASLUG!!!!!!

I have just purchased this and am eagerly waiting to use it - its ment to be brilliant!!! Its totally natural with no chemicals and so won't harm the tort. You water the garden with it and these gorgous slug eating mocro-organisms go into the soil and seek out the slug, they then enter via the saddleback and (

) kill the slug!!!! Most of the slugs will just die under the soil and never be seen again............

I got it from http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seed...s/nematode.htm this was by far the cheepest!!!!!

sandy · 03-03-2008, 03:49 PM

I would take no chances with anything unatural for tortioses.

Ozric · 03-03-2008, 03:57 PM

Sandy I think that the Nematodes are considered natural and are used by organic gardeners.

My guess is that the effects of such things might be short lived and confined to smallish areas if your garden is in a really sluggy location. Mine is - the soil is clay and it often rains for weeks on end.

Its claimed that birds eat slugs. Can someone tell them there are loads of great meals round at my place.

sandy · 03-03-2008, 04:12 PM

Get yourself some boxies, they frighten off the slugs big time<g>.

02-03-2008, 10:56 PM	#1
rupert Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Billericay, Essex Posts: 84	Slugs Hi, my first post. I have a 5yr old Horsfield. In the summer he spends sunny days in the garden, but last year I found him eating the odd slug. He seemed in a bad way with slime all over his face and maybe blocking his nose. It looked quite bad. Are slugs bad for tortoises, maybe even dangerous? If so how do I stop him eating them and how does one get rid of slugs? I fear pellets are poisonous? Thanks, __________________ An Egg called Rupert

02-03-2008, 11:01 PM	#2
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi Rupert, Welcome to Shelled Warriors. Tortoises will eat slugs and snails from time to time, dont feed them on purpose as they contain protein which is bad for med tortoises. Definately do not put slug pellets down, these will kill your tortoise if eaten directly or by a slug which had died on them and then eaten by your tortoise. Has your tortoise got free reign of the whole garden? Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

02-03-2008, 11:10 PM	#3
rupert Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Billericay, Essex Posts: 84	Yes , he can go anywhere when I let him out ( on warm days). I see Horsfields dig, but mine doesn't -so far. That's Essex clay for you. __________________ An Egg called Rupert

02-03-2008, 11:15 PM	#4
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi Rupert, For tortoise safety it might be wise to section off a good sized enclosure which would be secure for your tortoise. At least this way you will know that the tortoise enclosure would be 100% secure and tortoise freindly planted. You can also set slug traps without the treat of your tortoise getting poisoned in the process. Ade __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

03-03-2008, 07:10 AM	#5
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Lol I would keep a close eye on his favourite places in his enclosure, as has been said horsfields are notorious for digging down when temps drop. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

03-03-2008, 08:05 AM	#6
Ted Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 238	mine have occasionally eaten snails and yes, as they are being eaten they do foam all over the torts they don't do any harm but should only be eaten by the torts very rarely. __________________ My torts: 0.1.0 T. h. hercegovinensis - Hannah 0.1.0 T. h. boettgeri - Holly Ted - 17

03-03-2008, 12:40 PM	#7
lilacgeorge Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: May 2007 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,130	NEMASLUG!!!!!! I have just purchased this and am eagerly waiting to use it - its ment to be brilliant!!! Its totally natural with no chemicals and so won't harm the tort. You water the garden with it and these gorgous slug eating mocro-organisms go into the soil and seek out the slug, they then enter via the saddleback and ( ) kill the slug!!!! Most of the slugs will just die under the soil and never be seen again............ I got it from http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seed...s/nematode.htm this was by far the cheepest!!!!! __________________ Dawn 2.1.2 ~ THB Frank ~ Tallulah ~ Grace ~ Archie ~ Teefa ~ Mollie 0.0.1 Bearded Dragon ~ Freckles

03-03-2008, 03:49 PM	#8
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I would take no chances with anything unatural for tortioses. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

03-03-2008, 03:57 PM	#9
Ozric Member Incubating Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 112	Sandy I think that the Nematodes are considered natural and are used by organic gardeners. My guess is that the effects of such things might be short lived and confined to smallish areas if your garden is in a really sluggy location. Mine is - the soil is clay and it often rains for weeks on end. Its claimed that birds eat slugs. Can someone tell them there are loads of great meals round at my place. __________________ 3X Testudo Hermanni Hermanni tortoises

03-03-2008, 04:12 PM	#10
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Get yourself some boxies, they frighten off the slugs big time<g>. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

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