Hi,

It's me agian.  Just to let you know Twiglet is improving with her eating.  I've made her food a lot smaller and this seem to help.  I'm now waiting for both Twiglet and Tetley to do a poo so I can get to vets with sample to check it out for worms etc. Can I check the following foods, I'm sure I have read somewhere that they can eat Strawberry plant leaves and  Rosemary???? Please can someone confirm???  Also is there any news on Parlsey as to whether they can eat this?  Just trying to get a varied diet...  Thanks loads Row.  :0)

Hi Row,

Young wild strawberry plant leaves are ok as part of a varied diet, but you won't find any around at this time of year <g>, and when you do, only choose the very new shoots as the older the plant becomes, the more toxic the leaves are.  Rosemary and Parsley, along with other herbs, are generally not palatable to tortoises at all, they are too strong smelling and tasting and tortoises tend to avoid them.

It can be difficult providing a varied diet during the winter, stick to Romaine, Lambs Lettuce, Endive, Escarole (usually found in mixed bags of Florette Mixed Salad), Romaine you can buy individually.  Please avoid herbs and vegetables and keep your eyes open where you live.......even in Newcastle I can still find dandelions/sowthistle and plantain so only resort to shop bought salad stuff when you can't find anything at all.

Hope this helps

Jo

Hallo,

Glad Twiglet seems to be eating better - what did the vet say?

I believe strawberry leaves are OK when they young but become toxic as they get older. Maybe one for the spring unless you have any still growing.

Parley and Thyme are Ok  but tortoises don't always like the smell of herbs.

Joan,    

thanks for info and will try some parsley and rosemary.  I know Tetley will eat it but he will try and eat anything!!!!! Haven't taken Twiggs to vet as it only happens when feeding so have video'd on phone and will show vet when taking poo samples.  But smaller pieces deffintaley is helping loads I think she wa just putting too much in her mouth.