30/08/2013
Starback tortoise:
Adult size: 7 to 12 inches
Diet: Star tortoises are herbivores that graze primarily on a variety of low quality, mixed grasses. They also eat opuntia (prickly pear) cactus, succulents, flowers, and weeds. Their natural diet is very high in fiber, high in calcium, and low in sugar and protein. The protein they do eat is all from plants; none is from animal sources. A Star tortoise’s natural diet does not include fruit, which contains high amounts of sugar that can cause bloating and increase parasite load. Anything the tortoise might graze on must be pesticide free.
Some vegetables contain anti-nutritional factors. Oxalic acid and phytic acid bind with minerals, including calcium, preventing the availability of a significant percentage of calcium to the body. Goitrogens affect the absorption of iodine. Purines can increase the amount of uric acid, a particularly serious problem for arid species. Tannins, in high amounts, bind with protein and interfere with digestion. Foods falling into one or more of these categories include beans, beet greens, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, corn, mustard greens, peas, spinach, tofu (and other soy products), and turnip greens. Some of these foods, such as collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens can be part of a varied diet, but keep the amounts relatively low. Other foods to avoid are cat or dog food, meat, and grains.
