Batty my tortoise update

[duncang]

Last edited Tue Oct 29, 2024, 10:26 AM - Edit history (1)

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I bought some dried flower tortoise food but Batty doesn't like it. Also doesn't care for the "tortoise" grass. It is a small tub with grass seeds where you grow your own grass. I've been able to trim it and try twice but Batty ignores it. Spinach isn't a favorite either. So far it's romaine lettuce and kale. I'll keep trying the grass and spinach for awhile. Even set them on top of the romaine and kale.

Edit: Batty is eating enough. She’s smaller than my palm. But will eat a sizable chunk of romaine or kale. I’m trying to get her to eat more of what it would eat in the wild for its health. There’s a wide range of suggestions online. Spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens are suggested. But when it comes down to it they all suggest things that they would eat in the wild plus some substitutions because of availability. The tortoises in the wild mainly eat grass, hay, succulents, and cactus.

[WestMichRad]

1. Why are you keeping this poor creature in captivity? Is it injured?

Some turtles and tortoises are noted for not eating when in captivity… although I certainly admit to knowing very little about that. Returning it to its natural environment is usually preferable. That said, there are experts out there who may be able to provide guidance, if it is injured. NPR had a story about one such person, just yesterday on their All Things Considered program.
Good luck.

[duncang]

2. It is a captive bred sulcata tortoise

Native to Africa. It is endangered and it’s only chance maybe people who raise them here and other places. They can’t be released here. Their range has been reduced to 16.7% of their original area. There used to be a large illegal importation of them but that has stopped at least in the U.S. . In Africa they compete with cattle which has caused real problems there. I have seen they are trying to repopulate some areas by different programs zoos and other facilities run. Also they are thinking about asking pet owners to get into the same or a similar program. I wouldn’t mind that at all. The population is fairly strong in the U.S. since they can have clutches of over 70 eggs at a time. The problem of illegal or unrestricted pet trade in years past maybe the solution of the future.

[WestMichRad]

3. Thank you for your gentle answer.

Seems like you should be able to receive some advice from others with experience on captive rearing of this species, to figure out why it isn’t eating. Good luck and best wishes for success!

[duncang]

5. Batty is eating good.

Just trying to get Batty to get as wide as possible food. Romaine by itself is kind of okay. Kale is good for them. They didn’t have pear cactus pads when I went to HEB. I’ve got a few other things for Batty but as you could imagine they don’t eat that much. Supposedly they love flowers. But none are blooming around my house now. I thought of going to a florist. But most flowers are fumigated when imported. Batty would probably love fruits but you’re not supposed to give them very much it can cause diarrhea. I did cut just the top of a strawberry with the leaves and little fruit attached. But most fruits are supposed to be limited.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Have you tried some fruits and vegetables? Found this care sheet online.

https://gregrichdvm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sulcata-tortoise-care-sheet.pdf

[duncang]

6. Even though they will eat fruits it's not supposed to be a major part.

She does eat well just trying to get her to widen to the better foods she should eat. I actually check for poop and it’s regular and firm. So she’s eating enough. Fruits can give them diarrhea if not careful. Their normal food is grass and cactus. They’re a desert animal. The romaine and kale she will chow down on fast.

[CCExile]

7. Sea turtles and tortoises Corpus Christi.

I was surprised to find the recovering sea oturtles munching down on whole romaine lettuce leaves. It's their primary food in captivity. I was surprised that such wispy food could sustain them, but it makes sense. They have a very slow metabolism, and in the wild live on jelly fish and sea grasses and moss, both if which are mainly water. They are not above stealing a dead shimp from fisherpeople every now and then for a protien boost, so they may scavange just a bit for trace elements. This place also has some endangered tortoises to do what the author is doing, keep the line going. Outback they have some other exotics that are healthy, but too damaged to return the wild. Good place to visit if you are heading to Mustang Island or North Padre Island.

https://www.texassealifecenter.org/rescue-information/sea-turtles/

There are two or three other sealife rescue joints in Corpus Christi as well.

[HeartsCanHope]

8. Love the photo!

Really appreciate all the information about Batty. She's so cute! Thanks for taking her in and helping her species survive!