slugs/snails

Discussion in 'Tortoises' started by Rees2, Jul 16, 2007.

  1. Rees2

    Rees2 New Member

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    Would it be ok to feed these to my Hermans Tortoise.
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. strange_wings

    strange_wings Member

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    Why would you? it's a tortoise and does not need them. Plus considering how or where they're collected they can carry parasites.
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. Wookie

    Wookie Well-Known Member

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    I'd agree with strange_wings. Apart from the fact it's a vegetarian and that they would be too high in fats and protien, there are the risks involved that the slug/ snail could be contaminated with parasites or pesticides.
     
  6. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  7. Rees2

    Rees2 New Member

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    I was thinking about feeding them to my tortoise because I have a book called TURTLES & TORTOISES FOR DUMMIES and it says in the wild that a Hermans Tortoise will eat slugs and snails so I was wondering if I could give my tortoise that to make his diet more natrule.
     
  8. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  9. strange_wings

    strange_wings Member

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    More up to date info http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/articles.html

    A lot of books, and even some care sheets online, can contain outdated information or just plain incorrect. Such as offering any meat/insect item to tortoises. While it's possible that they may eat snails in the wild it could likely be as a source of calcium or even moisture. In captivity we have to modify their diets a bit, calcium and moisture shouldn't be a concern for the tortoise searching for food since you should be already be providing this in appropriate amounts .
     

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