Sulcata tortoises are wonderful pets. When properly cared for, they have delightful personalities, can live for decades, and bond with their owners. With proper care, they may even outlive their owners. If you think your pet is too large for your home, consider donating it to an animal shelter. Animal shelters often have an overflowing supply of unwanted tortoises, so make other arrangements for your pet if you outgrow it.
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Grass
Sulcata tortoises are mostly vegetarian, meaning that they can’t eat meat, fish, or poultry. Their diets are high in calcium, fiber, and low in fat, making grass their ideal diet. Unlike other tortoises, Sulcatas don’t eat beans, legumes, or other animal products because they have too much protein. Instead, they should be fed greens, grasses, and even edible flowers and plants. Don’t feed them cooked foods, like meat, since these contain too much salt and fat.
While the primary diet for Sulcata tortoises is grass, commercial produce is less nutritious than native plants. These vegetables have a higher water content and less fiber, so they can be used as supplemental foods. Alternatively, you can offer your pet a supplement of vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, broccoli and butternut squash are ideal choices for your Sulcata.
Hay
Hay for sulcata tortoises should be fed every other day. Sulcatas need a large area to roam around. They can spend hours digging in muddy wallows. It is important to provide them with a variety of substrates, including straw, pellets, and coir. You can buy various brands of hay for tortoises, but Kaytee Timothy Hay is particularly popular.
Although sulcata tortoises are herbivores, they do occasionally consume carrion. Grass is the ideal diet for a sulcata tortoise. During cold months, you can substitute hay with grass to give your pet the nutrition it needs. However, hay is not readily accepted by all tortoises, so you may need to cut it up into small pieces before feeding your pet. Eventually, he’ll accept it – you’ll have to be consistent and patient!
Flowers
If you want to add flowers to your sulcata tortoise’s diet, consider using dried flowers. Geraniums are edible and come in many colors. They are part of the marigold family, so they are an excellent choice because they contain nutrients and antioxidants. You can also add dried weeds to Mazuri pellets. You can also sprinkle some dried flowers on hay and greens to offer your tortoise even more variety.
Another great flower to add to your tortoise’s diet is rose petals. Depending on the time of year, these can be easily prepared for your tortoise. Make sure to buy organic rose petals instead of shop-bought ones, as they may contain chemicals. You can also use petals from other plant species that are toxic to sulcata tortoises, including weeds, which is why it’s best to choose organic varieties.
Rep-Cal
Sulcata tortoises are native to the northern parts of Africa. Their range stretches from the southern edge of the Sahara Desert to countries such as Chad, Sudan, and Mauritania. They also inhabit the Massaua coast in southern Africa. The Rep-Cal sulcata tortoise food is formulated to meet the needs of these species.
One of the most common problems tortoises encounter is a calcium deficiency. This can lead to a wide range of problems, including metabolic bone disorder, which results in broken bones and softened shell. Sadly, this condition is often fatal and a tortoise’s owner will likely have to deal with the aftermath. Rep-Cal sulcata tortoise food contains too much phosphorus, which prevents the absorption of calcium by the body.
Cuttle bone
If you want to keep your Sulcata happy, you should consider giving them cuttle bones as part of their diet. These bones are easily found in pet stores and are generally inexpensive. You can also find them on the beach, but they must be cleaned and dried before serving. Besides these, cuttlefish are also good for tortoises because they are naturally high in calcium and have a high melting point.
Before giving a cuttlebone to your tortoise, you should remove the shell. You can do this by washing it in saltwater and air-drying it. If you can’t get rid of the shell, you can use a spoon or knife to remove the shell before feeding your tortoise. Afterwards, give your tortoise a cuttle bone without the shell.
Fruits
Sulcata tortoises love fruit. While fruit contains high levels of sugar and water, too much sugar can be harmful to a tortoise’s digestive system. Some fruits also contain phosphorus, which can inhibit the absorption of calcium. Since a tortoise’s digestive tract is already prone to problems with excessive sugar and water, avoiding these fruits is a good idea. However, you can still offer your tortoise other non-toxic fruits and vegetables.
Sulcata tortoises do not digest certain types of fruit. Although they love fruit, their diet must be limited to a few different kinds of fruits. Some fruits are too high in water and sugar, while others contain vitamins and are difficult for the tortoise to digest. In addition, be sure to choose fruits that are low in phosphorus, fat, and protein and are free of Persin, a compound found in avocados.
