Plant list... what do you feed your tortoise? - Page 2

**sarah** · 16-11-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pies

is it a quiz Ed. Who gets the prize, what for, and what is it?

Well after looking at Kellys list i need to add more to mine lol
I think its a great topic and i hope i win lol lol

EJ · 16-11-2007, 06:07 PM

It's to give everyone who is interested a little insight into what the average person is feeding (assuming those who wish to participate are the average) and to give a real perspective of what a wide variety is.

It's a discussion... something to induce some thought... something to give insight...

I need to get to taking care of critters and all but I'll get into some of the results after the weekend. I think I have some lists from actual studies but I have to hunt them down and scan them. It might surprise you how it compares to the lists so far.

As I said... It's very important to be honest and it seems to be working so far. Neat stuff. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pies

is it a quiz Ed. Who gets the prize, what for, and what is it?

helen1 · 16-11-2007, 08:21 PM

As for quantities...I have no idea....some smallies/newies are indoors for some time so...I chuck it at them weeds,
sometimes romaine and cos..
always cucumber for no better reason than I think it is good for fluid..
tomato and strawberry tops for a treat..cos I give my grandkids chocolate(occassionally and always after weeds),
grated carrot very occassionally,
pumpkin cos I read it on here!
Pansies planted in the tables..as from spring ALL will be outside so
Outside I have planted
Sowthistle
Milkthistle
Clover
Pansies
Iceplants
Rose petals
Nasturtians
Snapdragons
Bittercress
Petunias
Evening Primrose
Mimulas(sp)
Strawberry plants(young leaves)
Fuscias
Nettle(more than one type)..they hate it
Dandelions
Hostas
Vetch
Different plantains
Viola
Wild rocket
I also give cucumber at the days end for reasons stated before
I have fruit trees, in the early autumn it is nigh on impossible to collect all the fallen fruit..so they do forage such..in many years I have not observed them being upset by this nor pigging out on it.
Many of mt torts eat squashed snail shells..I confess to said squashing as they eat my plants and I wont use pesticides..and the hedgehogs done a runner.

Again I do not know how much they eat...most start the day in summer by grazing the grassed areas(clover)..then they move around the weeded areas post lunch.and then opinion is divided...some graze lawns again, some weeded areas and some search for petals/flowers and treats.

I have used pellets for sick torts for whom I had followed every other avenue without success.

nina · 16-11-2007, 08:23 PM

Here's the list for my horsfield. It was interesting to compile as it turned out to be a lot longer than I'd thought. It's basicallly what grows in my garden (except the opuntia). She has some of all of what grows on the list, but I have to say that dandelion, plantain, sowthistle, sedum, evening primrose and bittercress when in season form probably 50% - 60% of her diet.

dandelion
sowthistle
ribwort plantain
lavatera
hibiscus
abutilon
evening primrose
campanula (several varieties)
wild rocket
pansies
nasturtium
opuntia
sedum (lots of varieties but mainly sedum spectabile)
field bindweed
dead nettle
bittercress
black medick (medicago lupulina)
bedstraw (galium)
grape vine
hawksbeard (crepis)
hawkbits (hypochoeris)
hardy geranium flowers
herb robert (geranium robertianum)
the odd bite of garlic chives (when I'm not looking)
the odd mouthful of grass

wildlifewarrior · 16-11-2007, 08:25 PM

actually i am unsure what ed's orignal idea of this this was but i think this shud be had a sticky or something as it is very infomative to future members to giving them an insight to ediable foods and some of there amounts.

helen1 · 16-11-2007, 08:29 PM

Agreed Christian

kirst16 · 16-11-2007, 08:35 PM

great topic, interesting to read

nina · 16-11-2007, 08:59 PM

Oops - just read Helen's list and I remembered that I, too, feed a little grated carrot (for the vitamin A) about once very six weeks, pumpkin in October, and cucumber on hot days in the summer. Forgot all about those.
Thanks for starting this thread, Ed - it's been a useful exercise.

Nina

Quote:

Originally Posted by nina

Here's the list for my horsfield. It was interesting to compile as it turned out to be a lot longer than I'd thought. It's basicallly what grows in my garden (except the opuntia). She has some of all of what grows on the list, but I have to say that dandelion, plantain, sowthistle, sedum, evening primrose and bittercress when in season form probably 50% - 60% of her diet.

dandelion
sowthistle
ribwort plantain
lavatera
hibiscus
abutilon
evening primrose
campanula (several varieties)
wild rocket
pansies
nasturtium
opuntia
sedum (lots of varieties but mainly sedum spectabile)
field bindweed
dead nettle
bittercress
black medick (medicago lupulina)
bedstraw (galium)
grape vine
hawksbeard (crepis)
hawkbits (hypochoeris)
hardy geranium flowers
herb robert (geranium robertianum)
the odd bite of garlic chives (when I'm not looking)
the odd mouthful of grass

Pies · 17-11-2007, 12:34 PM

Sorry if I seemed a little flippant, Ed. Was just trying to bring a little levity to things.

Actually, what you are doing will indeed help us all. Shared experience will lead to greater understanding.

I must admit, I have seen some plants listed that I have given to my chums on the odd occasion & forgoton about, and some that I have never tried.

This question of yours will result in a very long list by the looks of it. I rather doubt I have the space to grow half of it.

TortMad · 17-11-2007, 03:13 PM

Ok here goes, in the warmer months all my torts are in thier outside enclosures and eat what they will when they will, in the cooler months they get what ever I can find growing out and about.

Planted in outdoor enclosure (not in all the enclosures but most of the list are in all)

Mixed grasses to graze on
Hibiscus
Gazania
Echeveria
Lampranthus
African Daisy
Watercress
Petunias
Plantains (broadleaf and ribwort)
Dandelion
Sow thistle (smooth and rough)
Chickweed
bittercress
Clover (white and crimson)
Dead nettle
Calendula Marrigolds
Nastirium
Pansy
Viola
Mimulus
Hosta
hawkbits
Vetch
Sainfoin
Musk mallow
Chiccory
Welsh poppy
Wild geranium
Forget me nots
creeping bell flower

Also growing in the garden and picked frequently
Lavertera
Roses
Honeysuckle
Buddleia
Opuntia Cactus

When needs must, I buy in
Watercress
Cucumber
Romaine
Mixed Lettuce bags
Spring Greens

For next year I will be adding
Sheppards Purse
Aster
Holyhocks
Californian Poppy
Nipplewort
Aloe vera

and I am sure many others

16-11-2007, 08:21 PM	#13
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	As for quantities...I have no idea....some smallies/newies are indoors for some time so...I chuck it at them weeds, sometimes romaine and cos.. always cucumber for no better reason than I think it is good for fluid.. tomato and strawberry tops for a treat..cos I give my grandkids chocolate(occassionally and always after weeds), grated carrot very occassionally, pumpkin cos I read it on here! Pansies planted in the tables..as from spring ALL will be outside so Outside I have planted Sowthistle Milkthistle Clover Pansies Iceplants Rose petals Nasturtians Snapdragons Bittercress Petunias Evening Primrose Mimulas(sp) Strawberry plants(young leaves) Fuscias Nettle(more than one type)..they hate it Dandelions Hostas Vetch Different plantains Viola Wild rocket I also give cucumber at the days end for reasons stated before I have fruit trees, in the early autumn it is nigh on impossible to collect all the fallen fruit..so they do forage such..in many years I have not observed them being upset by this nor pigging out on it. Many of mt torts eat squashed snail shells..I confess to said squashing as they eat my plants and I wont use pesticides..and the hedgehogs done a runner. Again I do not know how much they eat...most start the day in summer by grazing the grassed areas(clover)..then they move around the weeded areas post lunch.and then opinion is divided...some graze lawns again, some weeded areas and some search for petals/flowers and treats. I have used pellets for sick torts for whom I had followed every other avenue without success. __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

16-11-2007, 08:23 PM	#14
nina Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,337	Here's the list for my horsfield. It was interesting to compile as it turned out to be a lot longer than I'd thought. It's basicallly what grows in my garden (except the opuntia). She has some of all of what grows on the list, but I have to say that dandelion, plantain, sowthistle, sedum, evening primrose and bittercress when in season form probably 50% - 60% of her diet. dandelion sowthistle ribwort plantain lavatera hibiscus abutilon evening primrose campanula (several varieties) wild rocket pansies nasturtium opuntia sedum (lots of varieties but mainly sedum spectabile) field bindweed dead nettle bittercress black medick (medicago lupulina) bedstraw (galium) grape vine hawksbeard (crepis) hawkbits (hypochoeris) hardy geranium flowers herb robert (geranium robertianum) the odd bite of garlic chives (when I'm not looking) the odd mouthful of grass __________________ http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk l

16-11-2007, 08:29 PM	#16
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Agreed Christian __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

16-11-2007, 08:35 PM	#17
kirst16 Member Hatched Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 367	great topic, interesting to read __________________ Had my Horsfield for 17 years....Love him to bits XX AND now new mummy to a baby Leopard ahhhhhh

17-11-2007, 12:34 PM	#19
Pies Member Hatched Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London UK Posts: 356	Sorry if I seemed a little flippant, Ed. Was just trying to bring a little levity to things. Actually, what you are doing will indeed help us all. Shared experience will lead to greater understanding. I must admit, I have seen some plants listed that I have given to my chums on the odd occasion & forgoton about, and some that I have never tried. This question of yours will result in a very long list by the looks of it. I rather doubt I have the space to grow half of it. __________________ Pies Ban the import of tortoises, sign the petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/769012123

16-11-2007, 08:25 PM	#15
wildlifewarrior Banned Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: stokie for life Posts: 4,272	actually i am unsure what ed's orignal idea of this this was but i think this shud be had a sticky or something as it is very infomative to future members to giving them an insight to ediable foods and some of there amounts.

17-11-2007, 03:13 PM	#20
TortMad Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,639	Ok here goes, in the warmer months all my torts are in thier outside enclosures and eat what they will when they will, in the cooler months they get what ever I can find growing out and about. Planted in outdoor enclosure (not in all the enclosures but most of the list are in all) Mixed grasses to graze on Hibiscus Gazania Echeveria Lampranthus African Daisy Watercress Petunias Plantains (broadleaf and ribwort) Dandelion Sow thistle (smooth and rough) Chickweed bittercress Clover (white and crimson) Dead nettle Calendula Marrigolds Nastirium Pansy Viola Mimulus Hosta hawkbits Vetch Sainfoin Musk mallow Chiccory Welsh poppy Wild geranium Forget me nots creeping bell flower Also growing in the garden and picked frequently Lavertera Roses Honeysuckle Buddleia Opuntia Cactus When needs must, I buy in Watercress Cucumber Romaine Mixed Lettuce bags Spring Greens For next year I will be adding Sheppards Purse Aster Holyhocks Californian Poppy Nipplewort Aloe vera and I am sure many others __________________ Lea 2.1.0 testudo horsfeldii 0.2.0 testudo graeca ibera 2.0.0 geochelone pardalis babcocki http://www.thehenshouse.co.uk/

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