Tortoises inhabit a variety of habitats, from deserts to tropical forests. As opportunistic feeders, they consume various foods such as plants, fruits and other animals for sustenance.
These reptiles primarily eat plant material, but require calcium for strong bones in warmer climates. Furthermore, they require Vitamin D3 in order to absorb calcium and promote proper bone development.
Contents
Original Formula
Unlike commercial hay-based diets, this high-fiber pellet form food closely replicates your pet’s natural diet. Plus, it includes live probiotic cultures to support a healthy digestive system.
Tortoises in the wild feed on a variety of greens and weeds to get their daily serving of nutrients. Whether it’s a leaf, stem or flower, these foods are low in calories but packed with essential vitamins, raw fiber and minerals.
Opportunistic feeders may be reluctant to consume foods with added calcium or vitamin powder, so it’s essential that you offer your pet a variety of fresh greens.
This formula is suitable for most omnivorous tortoises, such as Burmese Star Tortoises, Elongated Tortoises and Red-footed Tortoises. Unfortunately, it cannot be fed to herbivorous species like Hermann’s tortoise or Russian tortoises; however it can serve as a supplemental diet in these cases.
This formula comes in two convenient packaging sizes. For years, the Original Formula has been the go-to diet for Mazuri tortoises – and it continues to remain a favorite among tortoise keepers today.
LS Formula
The LS Formula is a more recent addition to the Mazuri tortoise diet and it contains less corn and soybean than its predecessor, providing it with slightly higher fiber levels but lower protein content.
The main ingredient in the LS is ground timothy hay, one of my favorite staple hays for sulcata tortoises. Additionally, it’s packed full of essential vitamins and minerals for an excellent nutritional profile.
Tortoises don’t need commercially prepared pellets if they’re eating a variety of natural grasses, weeds and greens as a primary diet. However, some keepers provide some prepared pellets as an added supplement to what their tortoises are already feeding themselves with the grasses and weeds they forage.
Supplements
Since 1989, Mazuri has been crafting species-appropriate pet foods. Drawing upon the expertise and experience of PhD exotic animal nutritionists, their formulas contain carefully chosen ingredients and advanced technology designed to deliver essential nutrients in an efficient manner. Each formula is tailored specifically for your furry friend.
Mazuri Tortoise Diet LS is an extruded pellet food designed to provide high fiber and low starch grass hay diet in pellet form. The extrusion method minimizes waste while creating a more natural feeding environment.
This LS formula is best fed to herbivorous reptiles in arid zones and grasslands, such as Aldabra, African Spurred/Sulcata, Desert, Egyptian Gopher Greek Leopard Pancake Radiated or Yellow-Footed tortoises Chuckwalla and Uromastyx lizards. Feed at a rate of 1-4% of body weight per day depending on environmental temperatures activity levels and animal life stage.
Feeding Directions
Mazuri Tortoise Diet: For dry land herbivorous tortoises such as Gopher, Sulcata and Galapagos tortoises, this low starch, high fiber diet provides complete nutrition in pellet form with yucca to reduce ammonia odors.
Mazuri has spent decades perfecting the science and art of exotic animal nutrition, working closely with zoos, universities and breeders to create species-appropriate pet foods for your special animals. Their research and expertise ensure that your pet’s meals meet all life stages, activities and environments with confidence.
Feed tortoises approximately 1-4% of their body weight daily, depending on environmental temperatures, activity level and life stage. It is not necessary to moisten pellets with water but soaking can be helpful when acclimatizing them to the diet. Always provide high quality grass hay or browse; fresh fruits and vegetables may be added but use no more than 5% fruit by weight in total diet.
