- Complete Tortoise feed
- Rich in fibre, with balanced nutrition values
- Low in protein and fat
Tortoise mix has been engineered as a complete feed for tortoises and other herbivorous reptiles, rich in fibre, with balanced nutrition values, especially low contents of proteins and fats, optimum proportion of calcium and phosphor. This combination of flowers and mixed leaves and a complete diet food stick has been developed in conjunction with a top European tortoise breeder.
Owning these fascinating reptiles is indeed a life choice when it comes to purchasing a pet. These cute little creatures may be in your family for generations and require specialist care and diet if they are to be fit and healthy into their old age.
In the wild, many species of tortoise inhabit warm dry regions and tend to wander around over a large range eating seasonal plants, flowers, leaves and fruit, with some even being opportunistic carrion feeders. This diet can vary dramatically throughout the year as the seasons change, with some tropical regions experiencing dry spells and others rainy. This gives rise to many different combinations of plants being consumed in various states, from young succulent seedlings to withered, dry, old leaves. Some types of tortoises are known to consume a combination of over 200 different types of plants, plus flowers and fallen fruits when in season. This is a part of what makes it is difficult to generalise regarding the correct diet for tortoises. Some, like Salacta and Leopard, feeding primarily on grasses, with others, like red foot and Yellow foots, feasting on seasonal fruit falls. These latter species, along with African Hindgebacks, will also take earthworms, slugs, snails and even millipedes as part of their natural diet. This is part of the confusion when it comes to feeding regimes as much information is over generalised, not considering all the different species and their dietary habits. Research and good information are key for successful tortoise keeping as many husbandry shortfalls may not become evident for many months or years, in some cases.
The most popular tortoise species, kept and bred in captivity, are the Mediterranean ones: Hermanns, Graeca, Ibera, Marginated and Horsfield. We even have a Spur Thighed tortoise, Testudo Gracea at our UK facility. The native diet in the wild would consist of leaves, grasses, and flowers or, what many of us would consider, weeds, which are grazed on over a wide area. As always, we recommend using as close to a wild diet as possible and suggest you do the same. We grow suitable plants all year round, both outside in planters and indoors, under New Dawn LED lighting, to provide fresh, safe, organic greens and suitable flowers. This allows us to have access to a variety of tortoise-friendly food, grown from seeds and cuttings many of which are easily available through specialist suppliers.
Our modern lifestyle is very busy, balancing many different pursuits at a time, whilst trying to maximise other important aspects of our life. Collecting and growing weeds may not be for everyone but there is no telling when your circumstances may change. Store bought salad and fruit items may seem like an easy alternative but really are not the best options. Many mass farmed salad items such as lettuce and cucumber have little nutritional value and very little fibre. Be wary of vegetables such as peas and beans as they contain Phytic Acid and should be avoided as it impairs the absorption of minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and, most importantly, calcium. Root vegetables such as carrots, swede and parsnips should be fed in very limited amounts as they are very high in carbohydrates, dark leafy greens, such as spring greens, cabbage and kale being the better vegetables to use. Tortoises love the sweet taste of fruit but, other than Red and Yellow Foots, it can be detrimental to their digestive systems and should be offered in very limited amounts. A tortoise convenience food, such as the ones used for most pets, would be ideal in this circumstance. We have looked at many of the commercial tortoise foods that are available, and some were severely lacking. We decided this was not good enough and accepted the challenge to do better. The biggest objective, however, is trying to make a good quality food at an affordable price. This is how Tortoise Mix went from being an idea for better animal welfare to a tangible product.
Because tortoises are like “shelled goats”, they will pretty much eat anything you give them, which can lead to health problems. The two biggest concerns are: lack of fibre which will lead digestive problems and foods that are too high in protein that will cause liver, kidney problems and severe shell deformities. A good guideline for animals in captivity is to look for foods high in fibre but low in fruit and proteins and incorporate them into a calcium rich diet complemented using correct lighting. This will allow for nice smooth shell growth without any digestive health problems that many tortoises have been plagued with in the past.
Although our food and general advice is primarily aimed at the Mediterranean tortoises (Testudo species), with some research and adaptions, it can be used as a convenient stand-by, when combined with other mixed food sources, for other types of tortoise and box turtles. It can also be used as a nutritional constant as part of an optimized combination of seasonal plants and flowers to add variety. Things like Hibiscus and Opuntia cactus pads make a great addition, adding variety, roughage, and calcium.
How much food to feed?
Adult tortoises can be fed every day, however, six days a week would be healthier, as captive tortoises tend to be overfed. An amount of food that takes between five and twenty minutes to eat is a good guide. For hatchlings and young animals, you can divide this into two feeds: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, allowing enough basking time to aid with digestion.
Good supplementation is very important, for captive tortoises, to prevent deficiencies, as they originate from regions where the soils are relatively rich in calcium and other essential trace elements. Fresh food can be dusted with a good quality phosphorus free supplement to provide vitamins and minerals and enable the diet to obtain a positive calcium profile. This is where the other two products in the range, Vit A Min and Calcium Ultra plug the gaps in the captive diet. We recommend providing Vit A Min twice a week and Calcium Ultra 2-3 times a week or up to everyday for juveniles or egg laying females.
Tortoises do take a large amount of moisture from their foods but always need access to clean drinking water. Wild and captive animals have been seen drinking from rain filled puddles and even from streams and ponds. Fresh drinking water should always be available to prevent dehydration.
They also need free access to sunlight for basking as natural sunlight contains UV-B radiation which is required by the tortoise along with heat to internally synthesize vitamin D3. This can be recreated in the home environment using Reptile Systems products.
Sizes:
- 4.4oz / 125 grams in a pot
All our food and supplement range has been co-developed with professional animal nutritionists, advanced hobbyist, and breeders.
Main ingredients: Alfa-alfa, Sunflower , Whole Wheat, Rosehips, Corn Leaves, Whole Dandelion, Wheat germ, Hibiscus Flowers, Echinacea, Apple, , Spirulina, Calcium carbonate, Rosemary.
Main selling points: Complete feed for tortoises and other herbivorous reptiles, rich in fibre, Balanced nutrition values, especially low contents of proteins and fats, optimum proportion of calcium and phosphor,
Main ingredients
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is widely regarded as a superfood and prized for its superior nutritional content. It is a good, natural source of a whole host of nutrients including many vitamins and minerals - most notably iron, magnesium, manganese, vitamin A, C, E and several B vitamins, as well as good quality fiber. It is also consumed by many grazing animals in the wild and has been grown as a livestock feed for hundreds of years.
Sunflowers
Most of us are familiar with this striking giant seasonal plant with its beautiful yellow flowers and the fact that they make a healthy snack, and sunflower oil is available in every supermarket. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E, which is powerful antioxidant neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage cells. In addition, sunflower seeds are a good source of manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, many B vitamins, and folate.
Magnesium is also necessary for healthy bones and energy production; selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells and by using the whole head of the sunflower it also increases fibre content improving digestive health.
Whole wheat
Vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre
Rosehips
One of the most impressive benefits of rose hips is their high concentration of vitamin C which may be the highest among all fruits and vegetables. They are also high in flavonoids which are antioxidants and encourage healthy liver, kidney, and circulatory function. Natural source of iron along with vitamins A and K
Corn leaves
Vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre
Dandelion
Dandelions may the gardener’s nemesis but to every reptile keeper that owns herbivorous, or in fact, omnivorous species, they are an absolute seasonal treat. Easily recognisable by their beautiful yellow flowers, big leaves, and unmistakable floating seeds, the flowers surpass most, if not all, vegetables in abundance of nutrients. All parts of the dandelion are edible, stems, flower, leaves and roots.
Dandelions are a great source of fibre and vitamins A, C, K, E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. ***It provides minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and is full of antioxidants, in fact, its botanical name Taraxacum officinale refers to its healing effect, Taraxacum comes from the Greek and means anti-inflammatory and officinale refers to the common name for herbs. So, we now know that it is highly nutritious, boosts the immune system and supports healthy bones.
Dandelions are also a firm favourite with tortoises, who will consume all parts of the plant with vigour and can be used as part of a balanced diet. Fun fact: if eaten in large quantities, Dandelions it can temporarily turn urine pink.
Wheat germ
Very high in vitamin E which is an antioxidant, along with fibre and healthy fats. It's also a good source of magnesium, zinc, thiamin, folate, potassium, and phosphorus.
Hibiscus Flowers
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers and leaves are nutritious favourites of many tortoises and come in a wide variety of different colours including white reds and even blue. They are rich in antioxidants which are molecules that help fight compounds called free radicals, which cause damage to your cells.
Echinacea
Sometimes called Purple cone flower it has been identified as having anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties.
Apple
Although these are only present in small amounts apples are a good source of fibre and vitamin C. They also contain polyphenols, which may have numerous health benefits. They also have manganese, copper, and the vitamins A, E, B1, B2, and B6.
Spirulina
It is extremely nutrient dense, containing almost the full spectrum of B-vitamins which are essential to the health of the central nervous system and the brain. High in many other essential vitamins and minerals, the nutrients in spirulina are highly bioavailable and is easily broken down by the digestive system.
Containing all 9 of the essential amino acids, spirulina is high in net protein utilisation, meaning it is 85% - 95% digestible – with its amino acids being delivered to the body for almost instant absorption.
Uniquely, spirulina also contains the phytochemical phycocyanin, which is the pigment that gives spirulina its blue-green hue. Often referred to as the “Wonder Molecule”, studies of phycocyanin have shown it has extremely high antioxidant activity and is powerfully anti-inflammatory.
Gram for gram, spirulina may be the single most nutritious food on the planet, it contains 26 times the calcium of milk.
Calcium carbonate
We hear lots of talk about calcium and its benefits in the reptile hobby, however, this refers to the naturally occurring common form, calcium carbonate. It is abundant in nature and found in limestone, chalk and is the fossilized remnants of early marine life. It is essential for strong bones and many other important functions.
Whole rosemary
Another ingredient used in very small amounts rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and good source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6.
