Zoo database

Sulcata tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

Natuurlijk dieet Sulcata tortoise

The Sulcata tortoise is a herbivorous grazing species. In nature, they largely consume grasses and vegetables. Their natural diet contains enough moisture to stay hydrated but additional water supplementation is recommended in captivity.

Grasses
Grasses
Herbs
Herbs

Voedingsadvies Sulcata tortoise

Voerhoeveelheid per dag

3-5%

Voorbeeld van procentberekening

Als een dier 50 kg weegt en 4% van zijn lichaamsgewicht eet, krijgt het
 
50 x 0,04 = 2 kg voer in totaal per dag

Voedersamenstelling

10% Concentraten
10% Andere groenten
79% Gras, luzerne, ruwvoer
1% Overig

Verhoudingen (vers product)

0,1 x 2 kg = 200 g concentraten
0,1 x 2 kg = 200 g andere groenten
0,79 x 2 kg = 1.580 g gras, luzerne, ruwvoer
0,01 x 2 kg = 20 g overig

Dieetadviezen

Aanbevolen

Haychunks
Timothy hay
Orchard grasses
Vegetables
Supplements

In moderation

Fruits (without large pits)
Herbs

Niet aanbevolen

Lettuce, cabbage or spinach varieties
Predominantly feeding hay that is high in oxalates (e.g. alfalfa hay)

Veelvoorkomende ziekten

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Respiratory disease
  • Shell softening

Aanvullend advies

  • Feed according to the “Feed quantity per day” for 3 times per week (3-5 times for tortoises 1-5yr old).
  • Feed high fiber products in the diet (read more about differences between vegetables).
  • Avoid high protein and fat in the diet as it can cause the tortoise to outgrow its shell.
  • Feed fruits occasionally as a treat, since it’s not included in their natural diet.
  • Tortoises require adequate calcium through the form of supplementation or by feeding concentrates.
  • Sulcatas respond to vivid colours, adding at least one colourful ingredient stimulates feeding activity.
  • Foraging behaviour can be stimulated by dispersing the food throughout the enclosure (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).