Grapes?
- Thread starter S5ail
- Start date
True. However, natural diets that we provide are not what they get in nature. They do not get the same species in the wild we feed in captivity. Secondly, their natural diet varies with age and time of year. The nutritional value can be the same (protein level, fat level, trace elements, etc.), but are nto necessarily. The way I look at it is that pellets are a variety of foods (what many feed otherwise) plus supplements (such as calcium and vitamin D) all put together. To me this has the potential to be as good if not even better than a wide variety of 'natural' foods (assorted live prey items, assorted vegetation, etc. depending on species in question). However, most pellets do not meet that potential (some aren't even close). I think the results will depend highly on what pellets are being used. Many use the staple ReptoMin, which I have found to not even be worth putting in a mix. The results are what should determine the food. If better results are achieved with a natural diet, than go with the natural diet. However, if pellets achieve better results, or perhaps a pellet and natural diet mix is better, go with that. As said, we should try different things top make sure we are giving them the best.
He eats Hikari brand food and i think thats the best for him...he likes it better then any of the other food. As for his aggression...thats where it must have came from lol because hes reallllly mean now he trys to bite anything that comes 2 inches from his face. I gave him some grapes and he looooved them. Thanks guys for your help.
Going after things is sometimes just hungry or food aggressive, they are always enthusiastic about eating.
Just because he likes it doesn't mean it is the best thing for him. I would also include the NutraFin Max as well as Zoo Med.
Just because he likes it doesn't mean it is the best thing for him. I would also include the NutraFin Max as well as Zoo Med.
Well put reptileguy, I agree with what youre saying, but the sad part of what is included in processed food is crap for the most part. I think only zoomed has taken the right steps to creating somewhat nutritional food for reptiles. I dont think they will take it to the next step(hope they do), because huge commercial companies like these are more worried about making more than providing quality ingredients for reptile longevity. Business is business and reptile propagation is a huge cash cow for zoo med and such to capitalize on making tons of products that may not be so good for the animals...eventhough I think they offer the best out of all the other companies.
varanio;1155580; said:
I couldn't agree with you more Varanio. And Reptileguy, how do you even know how I keep my box turtles? They are native in my state and I keep them outdoors all year long where they can also free range on whatever happens to be growing or crawling in their cage. Of course I feed them 3 times a week too (as adults). They are largely opportunistic feeders.
They've been living for thousands upon thousands of generations in the wild on whatever they stumble across. For example, they only can come across berries or mushrooms certain times of the years. So during these seasons, they eat a lot of each. Same goes for worms and insects. They're only going to come across worms if it rains or locusts if it's towards the end of the summer. You have to give these animals more credit. We come along and think we know what is best for them because we read a couple of care sheets. They're survivers, and mother nature always knows best!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.feeding it twice a day is a great start for it to get out of the tender hatchling/juvenile stages, thats when they are the most open to disease and illness. keep the temps warm and it will do great. Just remember to keep water quality at a high priority specially since you are feeding heavily.
Vicious_Fish: What did I say about your care of your box turtles? I don't remember saying anything negative about your care, if I did please let me know. If they are in a wild habitat than they are getting all the wild stuff they need, which seems to be the case with your box turtles. However most people do not have their animals in such a setup. Most keep them indoors with lots of artifical everything, mainly because most captive animals are not native species. In those cases there is no way they can simulate the natural diet. Yes, mother nature does it best. However, farm raised worms, fish, and crickets is not what nature would provide them with. So that diet is not any more natural than pellets. What really matters is the results achieved, as I have said before. So if you try three different ways and method B is best, use it. You can't argue with results. If the natural method has worked best for you, keep it up.
I think Hagen's aquatic turtle food is really good. I raised many hatchlings off of that exclusively and they did really well. I do not think as many companies fall into that category as it seems you do (varanio). And I think many are catching on to the fact that so many keepers feel the way you and I do, that they should get the best and are willing to pay for it. Many companies are geared for those who want a food that is cheap because so many people are that way, they just want the cheapest crap, even if it will literally kill the animal in a couple years (or less). Those are not the pellets I am suggesting, I discourage people from using those types. I encourage the high quality pellets from companies that put more into it (research, quality ingredients, etc.) and have proven to me to be worth the money.
This turtle is 5" long and 5 months old?
Any recent pics of it?
I think Hagen's aquatic turtle food is really good. I raised many hatchlings off of that exclusively and they did really well. I do not think as many companies fall into that category as it seems you do (varanio). And I think many are catching on to the fact that so many keepers feel the way you and I do, that they should get the best and are willing to pay for it. Many companies are geared for those who want a food that is cheap because so many people are that way, they just want the cheapest crap, even if it will literally kill the animal in a couple years (or less). Those are not the pellets I am suggesting, I discourage people from using those types. I encourage the high quality pellets from companies that put more into it (research, quality ingredients, etc.) and have proven to me to be worth the money.
This turtle is 5" long and 5 months old?
Any recent pics of it?
