Tag Archives: tortoise diet

It is a well-kept secret that feathered beings aren’t the only species who love the color green. Shelled beings love green too! Not only is green a lovely color to look at, but often green things are also delicious. Here, the fresher the green snack, the better. True shelled gourmands know that freshest is tastiest.ContinueContinue reading “Day 50: Tortoise Clover Chomper”

Just because you are slow and small doesn’t necessarily mean you are not fierce. Being slow and low to the ground also has its advantages. As a stealthy, stoic hunter, you can sneak up on your prey so slowly they literally fall asleep waiting for you to arrive. This provides the perfect moment to strike!ContinueContinue reading “Day 44: Tortugan Broccoli Hunter”

As a young tortoise on the go, you need to make sure you stay well hydrated…and well-nourished. Hydration is easy enough, since your large shell-less assistant won’t agree to cease and desist from dunking you in your large red tortoise bath on a daily (yes, daily!) basis. Sheesh. You’re not a little baby tort anymore.ContinueContinue reading “Day 32: Healthy Tortoise Eating Plan”

To hear paleontologists tell it, feathered and shelled beings likely share some common ancestors. And those ancestors were BIG. They were big in size (think “school bus” and you won’t be far off) and also big in appetite. So if you like to eat, you get it honest. But this can be hard to explainContinueContinue reading “Day 17: Malti’s Menu”

It’s never been any secret that Bruce, our little flock’s rescued box turtle member, is an avid hunter. Which makes sense, considering that when our paths first crossed, he was foraging for his dinner in the suburban “wild” and was very, very hungry. Malti, on the other hand…..this little princess has never missed a meal.ContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: First Earthworm!”

If it is possible for a tortoise to be a foodie, then Malti is a foodie. She really loves to eat. During the rare moments when she’s gotten her beak on some “people” food, she has reliably gobbled down as much of it as she could before her mama was able to extract it. NotContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: Arugula”

Redfoot tortoises are very smart. Not only can they go head-to-head on touch screen computer tests with dogs, rats, mice, chimps, black bears and other warm-blooded species, but they can solve mazes with the right motivation (which is always treats, of course). If I ever forget this, all I have to do is wait untilContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: Groceries”

It took me awhile to figure out that Malti didn’t find everything equally tasty. Pretty much from day one she was what tortoise breeders like to call an “enthusiastic eater.” Tortoises in the wild are opportunistic feeders, which means they will eat – overeat even – when they find something really good. This is becauseContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: Treats”

When I first brought Malti home, I really had no idea what tortoises ate. Some tortoises actually have very specialized diets on account of where they live or how their bodies work. And then there is Malti. To date, I have seen her attempt to eat everything from my keys to the plastic habitat sheContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: Salmon”

Malti is a South American redfoot tortoise. She is also a reptile, and like all reptiles, she needs a little help to get sufficient calcium and then to absorb and use it to grow strong healthy bones and shell. I’ve been keeping parrots since I was eight, so I’m no stranger to the odd whiteContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfoot Tortoises: Calcium”