Feeding high protein plants as part of a varied diet like legumes (alfalfa and clover) to your Sulcata. Higher levels of protein can cause visceral gout and many other issues. Being dehydrated accelerates/exacerbates the effect. Most tortoises are kept too dehydrated and so a diet with a substantial amount of legumes like clover or alfalfa can lead to all sorts of maladies. The seed of Cenchrus biflorus (cram-cram) is extremely high in protein and fat and is a big part of the sulcata tortoises diet in portions of their habitat. When they are well hydrated, these problems often do not show up at all. Keep your Sulcata well hydrated and there will be no problems. In the past, it was thought that our captive pyramiding problem was caused by excessive amounts of protein in tortoise diets, unfortunately this old myth is still perpetuated by some. We now know this is totally wrong. Pyramiding is caused by growth of your Sulcata in conditions that are too dry. Visceral gout is a disease in which kidney failure causes a build-up of urates in the internal organs, leaving a chalky white coating on them. Symptoms include anorexia and emaciation. We mix clover with the regular diet at the most once a month. We grow clover in pots indoors.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 23:29:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015