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Feeding
Mediterranean Tortoises - Some Basic Guidelines for a
Healthy Diet
A. C. Highfield
The diet of
Mediterranean tortoises in the wild consists
almost entirely of herbaceous and succulent
vegetation, including grasses,
flowers and twigs.
During episodes of rainfall
the tortoise will drink from the puddles which form, and
it may also approach
streams or ponds. It will frequently also pass urine at
this time as well, and
will simultaneously dispose of the chalky white uric
acid residues which form
in the bladder. It is categorically not true that
wild tortoises rarely
drink. I have seen both Testudo ibera in
Turkey,
and Testudo
graeca graeca in Morocco
approach
streams and ponds and drink copiously, in addition to
regular observations of
drinking following rain. During the dry season, and in
the more arid parts of
their range, tortoises rely mainly upon the water
content of their food in
order to supply their moisture requirements. In
captivity, we suggest soaking
the tortoise for 10 minutes twice each week in fresh,
shallow water to ensure
an adequate state of hydration.
In captivity, a high fiber, low
protein and calcium rich
diet will ensure good digestive tract function and
smooth shell growth.
Mediterranean tortoises fed on cat or dog food, or other
high protein food
items such as peas or beans, frequently die from renal
failure or from impacted
bladder stones of solidified urates. Avoid reliance
upon ‘supermarket’ greens and fruits which typically
contain inadequate fiber
levels, excessive pesticide residues, and are too rich
in sugar. Fruit should not be given as it frequently
leads to digestive upset,
intestinal parasite proliferation, and colic. It is also
incredibly high in phosphorus but very poor in calcium.
The opposite of what is needed.
When planning a diet for captive
tortoises, take their
natural dietary behavior into account as fully as
possible. In the case of Mediterranean
tortoises,
try to provide a mixture of edible 'weeds'. A lack
of dietary fiber, or roughage, will precipitate
digestive tract disturbance, loose droppings and an
apparently much increased susceptibility to flagellate
and worm
problems.
Although Mediterranean tortoises will
take animal protein if
offered (as will most normally herbivorous tortoises),
in practice this leads
to excessive growth and causes severe shell deformities,
liver disease, and
renal stress. It should therefore be avoided entirely.
In our experience,
tortoises that are fed animal protein suffer premature
mortality.
A balanced diet for Mediterranean
tortoises can also
include dandelion, naturally occurring
non-toxic weeds, white (Dutch) clover (in moderation, it
is quite high in
protein), both leaves and flowers, rose leaves and
petals, and sow-thistle,
romaine or red leaf lettuce (in very limited
quantities). Do not use head
lettuces such as iceberg, as these contain very little
in the way of fibre ,vitamins
or minerals.
Most land
tortoises can and do fare best when
allowed to graze outdoors. The regular use of a
cuttlefish bone left in the enclosures allows
tortoises to regulate the amount of calcium in the diet.
Some tortoises like
this very much, while others will refuse to eat it.
Allowing Mediterranean
tortoises to forage and graze naturally actually helps
the tortoise to maintain
good digestive-tract health, and greatly assists in the
prevention of obesity.
If scute pyramiding is noted, this usually indicates
that either too much of
the ‘right’ type of food is being consumed, or, more
likely, that the overall digestible content of the
diet is too high. We recommend the use of a good quality
phosphorus free calcium supplement at least twice per
week, more
frequently for juveniles and egg-laying females.
A. C. Highfield
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