All Turtles Message Board

brinnan · Level 1 Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 15

My red footed tortoise, Aesop, has recently had trouble sticking his head in. Last summer when I took him to the vete after noticing sickness since I had received him (about 2 months), he weighed 200 grams. It turned out he was full of parasites. By the end of the summer, he was at a healthy weight of 500 grams. He looked great!

Anyway, since then he has been on a diet of pellets and leafy greens every other day, with the occasional tomato or strawberry thrown in. While his shell has grown a tiny bit, he has grown to nearly 900 grams! The vet says he is very chubby, and to cut out the pellets altogether.

He's not in any health danger right now, and he doesn't have pyramiding or anything like that. I just was amazed that a tortoise could eat so much that he wouldn't be able to fit in his own shell!

dixieee · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:47 am Post subject:

think of it, they have nothing else to do that's why they will keep eating as long as they can do and will not have a chance to burn what they're getting bcz of the limited space..no matter how big is the setup, it is still limited space compared to nature

so watch out for him..u don't want ur turtle to be in bad shape this summer Cool

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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

kelleytidwell · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject:

Just an idea what I do with my RES. Give them a limited amount of food and romaine lettus to snack on or whatever, then take them for a walk 2 x per week. They'll enjoy it as much as you will! Have you seen a turtle leash? I need to find that website and post it there out there!
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centex · Level 3 Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 319

Wow..a turtle leash...and I thought those children leashes were crazy Surprised

I've heard it all now~ Rolling Eyes

John