It’s important to feed sulcata tortoise daily. Do not fall for the misconception that once every few days is enough. Sulcata tortoises are a large and fast growing species, so they need to be feed accordingly.
If you are offering foods on a food dish, you may find that not every day will your tortoise finish every bite. But, it’s important that you offer food daily.
Sulcata tortoises are grazing tortoises and eat throughout the day.
How Often Should I Feed a Baby Sulcata?
It’s been a BIG misconception that you should only feed baby sulcata tortoises every few days. Some have said you should only feed baby sulcatas every other day, whereas others claim you should feed a baby sulcata every 3-4 days.
BUT, it’s very important that you feed a baby sulcata tortoises daily.
Offer grasses and hay throughout the day. Once a day give a baby tortoise safe greens or tortoise pellets to eat.
Variety is key when feeding baby sulcatas. It prepares them to readily eat a healthy diet when an adult.
How Often Should I Feed an Adult Sulcata?
Adult sulcata tortoises should be allowed to graze on grasses all day. Add fresh greens or pellets a few times a week.
If you do not have enough grass for your tortoise to eat, make sure that hay is available throughout the day. If you’re relying on hay as your main source of food, consider adding fresh greens daily instead of every few days.
Your tortoise will enjoy the variety in his diet. The variety will also ensure that the sulcata is consuming the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep him healthy.
Monitor Body Conditions
You should regularly monitor the body condition of your Sulcata tortoise to ensure your pet sulcata is eating a proper diet. A healthy Sulcata shell should have a smooth, rounded shell without any visible indentations or bulges. The plastron (the bottom of the shell) should be flat, and the tortoise should have a firm, well-muscled appearance.
If your Sulcata is gaining weight rapidly and appears overweight, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of feeding, adjust the portion sizes or reassess the types of foods you are offering. On the other hand, if a tortoise is losing weight or showing signs of lethargy, consider feeding more or reassessing the overall diet.
