what should i feed my desert tortoise?

Question

i feed it chopped cucumber is this good?should i put water 2?

Answer 1

vegetables, lettuce, carrots, etc. yes, it needs water

Answer 2

The Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii


Gopherus agassizii

Class: Reptilia
Order: Chelonia
Suborder: Cryptodira

Super Family: Testudinoidea
Family: Testudinidae

Genus Gopherus
Species: agassizii

Vital Stats

Weight: 8-15 lbs.
Length (carapace): 9-15"
Height: 4- 6"
Sexual Maturity: 15-20 years
Mating Season: Aug.-Oct.
Incubation Period: 90-120 days
No. Of Eggs: 4-8
Birth Interval: 2-3/year
Lifespan: 80-100 years
Typical diet: Herbs, grasses,
wildflowers

Answer 3

1. Desert tortoises are highly protected in most of their range. You may want to check to be sure yours is legal.

2. It should have a water dish it can use for soaking, one it can easily get into and out of. It probably won't use it much, but it should have the option.

3. The diet should be set up roughly as follows (the percentages are not solid, just to help with the ratios):
- 50% 'fodder'- grasses, hays, clover, alfalfa, 'yard plants', flowers, leaves- green or dried
- 30% vegetables- pretty much anything you'll eat, including mushrooms. Use as many colors as possible- variety is good. They do not like corn, peppers, and onions so much.
- 15% fruits, nuts, and berries- again, variety. This time, avoid citrus.
- Less than 5% proteins- lightly mashed hardboiled eggs (with shell), cooked chicken, etc.
- Sprinkle with good reptile vitamins and calcium supplement (like RepCal)
- Feed a young turtle daily. As the turtle ages, back off to every other day, then even every three days.

4. Variety is great. It avoids the problems you can run into. For example, too much kale, brocolli, cabbage, etc. can cause gout, but it is perfectly good as a part of a larger diet program.

Answer 4

My tortoise loves dandelions (flowers and greens) and hibiscus flowers. Just be sure they are pesticide free. He eats the ground cover from grasses to creosote. In a captive situation be sure to keep poisonous plants away from reach. I also offer him fruits and vegetables that I eat, like the peelings from carrots and potatoes, grapes, apples, etc. They are vegetarian and don't eat meat (though many other species do.)
They do need water, but do not live in it like turtles do. In fact they can drown if unable to get out of a drinking pool. When they drink, thier whole head is immersed for about five minutes or so.
They only urinate once or twice a month unless scared by something (not a good thing) and the urine is caustic so rinse it down good with plenty of water. Thier stools are daily and easy to deal with.
Dogs are thier natural preditor and worst enemy. Keep canines away from them or stress will affect thier health.
Be sure to register yours with Fish and Game as they are endangered and protected by the government. It is a big fine to take them out of the wild. It is worse to put a once captive tortoise back into the wild. A highly contageous respiratory disease is why. F & G will give you a tag and the info needed for your tortoise to be identified as yours. It also proves your ownership should it get away from you.
My "Speed Bump" was given to me from some tourists that picked it up on thier way to Disneyland. It had been in thier hotel room for a week and I had it two days when I contacted F & G. I was told I could keep it but if I had to get rid of it they gave me a list of places to pick from. Never let it go back into the desert.
If it is new to you, they do hibernate in winter. You will need to learn about that before the time comes. Hope to have helped you! Enjoy

Answer 5

You are slowly killing it!!!! Get a clue, a vet, then find a rescue to surrender it to. Also, desert tortoises are illegal to keep in most states as they are considered a threatened species. I'd bet you stole this from it's natural environment. I'm always amazed at the cruelty and stupidity of humans.

Answer 6

We feed ours Broccoli and Grapes. Yes you should keep some water outside for him/her. Next time we feed ours, I'll try to pay attention to what my Mom gives him and try to let you know. You can e-mail me at [e-mail] if you need to know anything else about your tortoise.

Answer 7

I though that this tortoise was protected by federal law and could only be confined and handled by persons with a federal wildlife certificate??

Answer 8

Do not - repeat- do not put it in water!!!! You will kill it. The chopped cukes were good. They also like small squash, fruits - especially strawberries and bananas. You can also soften ( with water) some dry dog food. They eat bugs and worms, and protien is protien. If you meant, shold you give it water, yes - just some in a shallow dish will do. Goog Luck

Answer 9

feed it fruits and veggies and you should put water always go to the vets for any kind of sickness

Answer 10

Water is very important

ask your vet for the correct diet

Answer 11

romaine lettuce not any old lettuce cause it will cause intestinal problems and some fruit but you need to check it out on the net k