Figs and dates

[Linds]

Just wondering if anyone has fed these to their tortoises? Although they do have a relatively high sugar content (obviously better suited to animals that thrive on a richer diet), they are rich in many nutrients and high in fibre... I haven't been able to find much info on feeding these to reptiles however...

[Trace]

Hi Linds!

Honestly I've never tried feeding figs and dates to any Torts I used to work with. We would get a lot of veggie donations from the local produce stores and neither of the above mentioned fruits were included in those drop offs.

FWIW, when I was heavily into iguanas, dried figs were part of the salad mixture I would feed to them. My guys loved them! Mind you, they loved anything sweet! If I remember correctly, regular figs have a 6:1 calcium to phosperous ratio while dried figs have a 12:1 ratio. Please don't ask me why the drying process changes that ratio, I have no idea!

I'm hoping some of the more experienced Tort people on this forum can give you a definative answer to your question, but I would certainly try small amounts of figs with your Red Foot.

Cheers!

Trace

[asphyxia]

Hi Linds

I cant help you much on this one as i only had a date with a fig once and it diden't go over to well.

Briana

[eyespy]

The fact that they are low acid and wouldn't kill off beneficial bacteria the way so many fruits do is a plus, as is the high fiber content. They are probably worth trying as treats.

[Linds]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I eat a lot of figs and dates so I always have them around and have always wondered about feeding them to my little tortie. I'm gonna give each of them a go and see how he likes him... no doubt he will... little piggy :flick:

[ReptileHQ]

fresh figs and fig leaves are another good choice as part of a redfoot diet. Plums are actually part of their natural diet in the wild. I would not feed dried figs or dates.

[Tim and Julie B]

Why wouldn't you feed them dried ones? Just curious.

[ReptileHQ]

sorry...I knew I should of explained this...but I was just being lazy

sugar rich foods put a lot of stress on a tortoises' renal system, so a concentrated blast of sugar from a de-hydrated fig or date can only spell trouble. A redfoots' diet should comprise of 70% greens, 15% fruit, 10% flowers, 5% protein.

[Tim and Julie B]

Good to know. Thank you for the info.

Linds: My reds like over ripe mango as a treat!