They sell ready vegetables already washed in plastic containers but if you want to sometimes give them those as a food which packages I should make sure to buy only? Thank you for the great informative videos!
+taymarie2004 You're welcome. They all are, which is why I tell people Tortoises are as friendly as your dog, but with the personality of your cat. :-)
my two tortoises hate papaya they only eat it if they too hungry like that time they disappeared in my garden and the apear 2 weeks later. But they surely love mango and snails
My RF loves turnip greens, and pineapple is his favorite food He goes nuts for it lol. He's not very fond of the dandelion greens but he'll eat them if that's all he's given. Is banana good for them? Mine loves them, and aren't bananas be native to South America?
Banana is okay once in a blue moon. Very high in sugar and a terrible Calcium to Phosphorus ratio and easy for them to get hooked on, so limit it being a rare treat. They are native to the Philippines, but can be grown in almost any tropical environment.
Can you clarify inconsistencies among your videos about dandelion having no oxelates v. low oxelates and other sources describing them as having moderate levels.
They have a low level and since it's so low I consider them a non-issue and much the same a no level. Just don't make them more than 10-15% of their diet.
Redfoot's are a forest tortoise, so the fruit rules don't apply like they do to arid species. Mine for the last 16 years have had fruit as a "main course" 5-6 of the roughly 10 times a month I feed them. Papaya, Mango, fresh figs, pineapple are the four biggies.
Like 239! How are you? I feed my red foot all the things you mentioned in the video! My question is can I feed my red foot tortoise grapes??? Have a great day and stay in touch!😎❤️👍🐢
I give ours left over pieces of raw salmon, when we have it for dinner, and on occasion original mazuri tort diet. Both work very well, but earthworms work well too.
I heard that raw pineapple contain protease which is harmful to humans mouth. Do I need to boil the pineapple before feeding to red foot or raw pineapple is fine ? Thx
I try to give my tortoise Turnip, Mustard and Collard Greens, and in that order, but of these 3, only Collard Greens are available. Nobody sells turnip & mustard greens anymore. Not the grocery, not the green grocers, and not the farmers markets. I live in Pinellas County and every place I pass that might have them doesn't, when I check, regardless of season. So even though these are supposed to be a must-have for Southern cuisine, in the last 7 years I have had my Redfoot, these have gone from rare to almost non-existent. On the plus side, I have Opuntia or Prickly Pear Cactus coming out of the woodwork. Mulberry and hibiscus too. But then there are dandelions. Living up North for 35 years, I waged war against dandelions. But they are uncommon here and don't grow much in Central & South Florida. Hmmmm. Now that I have a tort who would love to eat them, I can't seem to grow any. The irony of that is not lost on me...
I feed red foot with turnip greens as half of its diet.However the tortoise database recommended not to feed turnip greens too often since it contain gitrogens (www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=823&c=8#.W0mc_op-WhA ) I just wonder will feeding turnip greens or other greens from brassica family be harmful?Should I still continue to feed red foot with turnip greens ? thx so much
50% is probably too high, 20-25% would be a better ratio. Mine also eat dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens and chopped cactus pads (any spines removed). Mix it up among those possibilities is what I'd suggest you do.
Should I feed mustard greens,collard greens and turnip greens together in the diet ? Because the tortoise database recommended two or more goitrogenic plants should not be fed together.Thanks
I just rescued a red footed tortoise, in their previous home they never had calcium, never had UVB lights, had heating pads, and no humidity... im trying to save the poor little guy
You're a good person for trying to help/save this animal. My compliments to you. Shoot me a private message and I'll get you a link to my Redfoot course for free.
What can you do when your tortoise is picky? I have the good fortune that I have a mango tree right in my backyard, but when I offered a fresh one to my tortoise, she turned up her nose at it. She loves papaya, though.
Easy for them to lock into one food, but go easy on the bananas. The calcium to phosphorus ratio is terrible. Make a 2-3 times a YEAR treat, not a staple item.
Should red foot tortoises get any proteins? I know that they shouldn't get much if so but, I am thinking about getting one and don't want to feed it unhealthy things, and I want to take it away from the awful petstore it resides in
Yes they should get protein, otherwise they develop walking problems. A small portion of low fat cat food (dry, just soak it) mixed with calcium powder twice a month does the trick. If you're getting a hatchling, wait to do this until they get to 6-7 months old first. Earthworms, slugs, and raw chicken also work, I've just found over the years low fat cat food works best for me.
Awesome info - thank you!
Thank you so much for that important info:')
Thank you
My friend that is an amazing video I am saving it. I am going shopping.❤
thank you for this info! these are now the main part of my red foots diet!! thank you for this amazing infomation!!
Thank you! Always happy to help.
thanks for the video 👍
great video
They sell ready vegetables already washed in plastic containers but if you want to sometimes give them those as a food which packages I should make sure to buy only? Thank you for the great informative videos!
Thanks for making finding healthy foods easier! My redfoot is weird and doesn't like mango. It truly puzzles me!
+taymarie2004 You're welcome. They all are, which is why I tell people Tortoises are as friendly as your dog, but with the personality of your cat. :-)
my two tortoises hate papaya they only eat it if they too hungry like that time they disappeared in my garden and the apear 2 weeks later. But they surely love mango and snails
Mine loves papaya and more sweet fruits like banana and mango, but i give him veggies more often
My RF loves turnip greens, and pineapple is his favorite food He goes nuts for it lol. He's not very fond of the dandelion greens but he'll eat them if that's all he's given. Is banana good for them? Mine loves them, and aren't bananas be native to South America?
Banana is okay once in a blue moon. Very high in sugar and a terrible Calcium to Phosphorus ratio and easy for them to get hooked on, so limit it being a rare treat. They are native to the Philippines, but can be grown in almost any tropical environment.
What's your opinion on feeding redfoots kale?
Are the tops of the pineapple ok?
Can you clarify inconsistencies among your videos about dandelion having no oxelates v. low oxelates and other sources describing them as having moderate levels.
They have a low level and since it's so low I consider them a non-issue and much the same a no level. Just don't make them more than 10-15% of their diet.
@@RedfootTortoiseMan Have your thoughts on diet changed much since you made some of those videos 4 years ago?
@@BooneeXCdad Not in the least. Been working like a charm for 20 years. My arid species diet has been the same for over 45 years.
How often do you suggest feeding the fruits? I was told not to feed fruit too often to tortoises.
Redfoot's are a forest tortoise, so the fruit rules don't apply like they do to arid species. Mine for the last 16 years have had fruit as a "main course" 5-6 of the roughly 10 times a month I feed them. Papaya, Mango, fresh figs, pineapple are the four biggies.
Like 239! How are you? I feed my red foot all the things you mentioned in the video! My question is can I feed my red foot tortoise grapes??? Have a great day and stay in touch!😎❤️👍🐢
Yes you can feed them grapes. Mine love them.
What about the skin and seeds on papaya? Also mango skin ?
I avoid the skin and seeds for papaya, but give them the mango skin IF it looks good - and many times it doesn't.
What's a good protien I use cat food and meal works for my two babies...
I give ours left over pieces of raw salmon, when we have it for dinner, and on occasion original mazuri tort diet. Both work very well, but earthworms work well too.
How often do you feed your babies and adults?
Hatchlings and sub-adults 4-5 times per week and adults 3-4 times per week.
I heard that raw pineapple contain protease which is harmful to humans mouth. Do I need to boil the pineapple before feeding to red foot or raw pineapple is fine ? Thx
Raw is fine for Redfoot's. Mine have been eating it for 18+ years with no issues at all. Good calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Can u feed redfoots red peppers, kale, and carrots?
You can, but of those three I would only feed them Kale, which I do on occasion.
I try to give my tortoise Turnip, Mustard and Collard Greens, and in that order, but of these 3, only Collard Greens are available. Nobody sells turnip & mustard greens anymore. Not the grocery, not the green grocers, and not the farmers markets. I live in Pinellas County and every place I pass that might have them doesn't, when I check, regardless of season. So even though these are supposed to be a must-have for Southern cuisine, in the last 7 years I have had my Redfoot, these have gone from rare to almost non-existent. On the plus side, I have Opuntia or Prickly Pear Cactus coming out of the woodwork. Mulberry and hibiscus too. But then there are dandelions. Living up North for 35 years, I waged war against dandelions. But they are uncommon here and don't grow much in Central & South Florida. Hmmmm. Now that I have a tort who would love to eat them, I can't seem to grow any. The irony of that is not lost on me...
Nor me. 🙂
I feed red foot with turnip greens as half of its diet.However the tortoise database recommended not to feed turnip greens too often since it contain gitrogens (www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=823&c=8#.W0mc_op-WhA ) I just wonder will feeding turnip greens or other greens from brassica family be harmful?Should I still continue to feed red foot with turnip greens ?
thx so much
50% is probably too high, 20-25% would be a better ratio. Mine also eat dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens and chopped cactus pads (any spines removed). Mix it up among those possibilities is what I'd suggest you do.
Should I feed mustard greens,collard greens and turnip greens together in the diet ? Because the tortoise database recommended two or more goitrogenic plants should not be fed together.Thanks
I'd just mix it up, which is what I do. Feed them turnip greens as the green they get one week, then collard the next week.
hi can we feed cabbage to redfooted
You can, just make it an infrequent item as it's high in oxalates.
I just rescued a red footed tortoise, in their previous home they never had calcium, never had UVB lights, had heating pads, and no humidity... im trying to save the poor little guy
You're a good person for trying to help/save this animal. My compliments to you. Shoot me a private message and I'll get you a link to my Redfoot course for free.
redfoottortoisebreederATgmail.com
How is he doing 2 years later?
What can you do when your tortoise is picky? I have the good fortune that I have a mango tree right in my backyard, but when I offered a fresh one to my tortoise, she turned up her nose at it.
She loves papaya, though.
Mix the food they turn their nose up at in with other foods they love. If she eats papaya, she's finer as it has a similar nutrient load as mangoes.
@@RedfootTortoiseMan Thank you! 😊
Can baby red foots eat watermelon
Sure. Very little nutritional content, so only once in a while, but its fine for them.
My red foot tortoises are obsessed with bananas, he destroys them the second they go in his tank. And when I let him roam the yard he loves dandelions
Easy for them to lock into one food, but go easy on the bananas. The calcium to phosphorus ratio is terrible. Make a 2-3 times a YEAR treat, not a staple item.
Should red foot tortoises get any proteins? I know that they shouldn't get much if so but, I am thinking about getting one and don't want to feed it unhealthy things, and I want to take it away from the awful petstore it resides in
Yes they should get protein, otherwise they develop walking problems. A small portion of low fat cat food (dry, just soak it) mixed with calcium powder twice a month does the trick. If you're getting a hatchling, wait to do this until they get to 6-7 months old first. Earthworms, slugs, and raw chicken also work, I've just found over the years low fat cat food works best for me.
Ok, Thank you. Do meal worms also work for protein? I have seen some websites that say thats a good source, But I want to make sure it is safe.
Never tried them with Redfoot's, but fed them to my Box Turtles years ago and they loved them.
Only 20 % fruts