A few food questions

[Jex]

My RT loves squash and zucchini and I haven't seen anything yet from the links listed in the previous threads that say if these are ok or not.  I'm hoping so since he loves them so much and will hit those up before any of his greens.  Also, what about sunflower sprouts?  Are there any sprouts that I should stay away from?  I'm guessing some of the spicier blends.... but I've got my own seed and sprout my own from time to time and would love to be able to give him something different than his usual diet. 

Thanks!

[calla1231]

My RT loves squash and zucchini and I haven't seen anything yet from the links listed in the previous threads that say if these are ok or not.  I'm hoping so since he loves them so much and will hit those up before any of his greens.  Also, what about sunflower sprouts?  Are there any sprouts that I should stay away from?  I'm guessing some of the spicier blends.... but I've got my own seed and sprout my own from time to time and would love to be able to give him something different than his usual diet. 

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure squash and zucchini, are a no.  I'm not sure about the sprouts.  go to www.russiantortoise.net and that will give you all the info you need.  Joe or Zookeeper might know more about the sprouts.

[Jex]

I'm pretty sure squash and zucchini, are a no.

Bah, yeah I've seen that sight and they aren't specifically listed, but now that I think about it I guess they are *technically* fruits since they do have small seeds.  Poot!  I thought I was doing good to limit his strawberries and other fruit that I was initially told to give him.  Boy, Turdy is going to be pissed! LOL!  Back to boring greens... hehe 

[Tortmom]

Hi, welcome to the forum! 
 I have a Male Rt that's been with me about a month now and he absolutely LOVES the mixed spring greens that you can buy at the grocery store. I sneak in some dandelion,clover,grape leaves,raspberry and blackberry leaves and vetch (and lots more)... and he really seems to like them too. A good way to treat your tort without going outside of his diet might be to try some flowers. You can feed dandelion,clover,rose petals...ect. I find new foods for him to try everyday   

[Jex]

Hi, welcome to the forum! 

Hi! Thanks!  LOVE this site... it's been sooo informative! 

I have a Male Rt that's been with me about a month now and he absolutely LOVES the mixed spring greens that you can buy at the grocery store. I sneak in some dandelion,clover,grape leaves,raspberry and blackberry leaves and vetch (and lots more)... and he really seems to like them too. A good way to treat your tort without going outside of his diet might be to try some flowers. You can feed dandelion,clover,rose petals...ect. I find new foods for him to try everyday

The flowers are a good idea!  Where do you get them where they haven't been treated for pests?  That's the problem...
I've got clover in my yard and he's never seemed interested in it. He'd rather munch on the bermuda grass than the clover. 
I did find a link to a RT mix to plant in the yard that I'll probably buy soon... just looking for some other things to offer to mix up the diet.

Thanks for your ideas!

[Zookeeper]

Hello and welcome to the forum Jex.  Calla1231 is right about the squash and zucchini, they are a starch, starch turns to sugar in the system, and an abundance of sugar in the system can lead to parasite blooms in torts.  I'm not sure about sunflower sprouts, the question has never come up on the forum since I've been a member.  Joe does have several different types of tortoise seed mixtures on his webstore, though, and Chia seeds for sprouting as well. http://carolinapetsupply.com/catalog/ 

[Tortmom]

We don't use pesticides and so I just pick them in my yard.
 You might want to try planting some in pots??

[Jex]

Thanks.  I guess I'll repost with that in the title and see if I can get an answer.  I'm thinking they are OK from the info I found on a sprouting site.