Supermarket  produce is too high in water and sugars, and often contains pesticide residue. Many store produce items actually inhibit the absorption of calcium, a badly needed item in any reptile's diet. Also an insufficient source for vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements, there are no produce markets in the wild! IN the case of a tortoise, think of it as a "cow with a shell."

Lizards (Bearded Dragons, Iguanas, Uromastyx, etc) also love forage mixes, and it’s healthy for them as well.

Forage Mixes can be offered to reptiles in any number of different ways. All you need is your imagination.  It can be broadcast into open areas in the same manner as planting a lawn. It must, however, be given time to grow and establish a good root system so that the animals GRAZE it, but do not not destroy it. The seeds in this mix are both annuals as well as perennials, and with regular watering, and occasional re-seeding, can last for many seasons, depending on your climate, tortoise traffic, and soil type.

 **It is normal for some of the annual plants to dry out and die. Many reptiles need dried grasses and leaves in the diet to ensure proper digestion. At certain times of the year, many reptile species will actually avoid the wetter, "greener" plants in search of drier, coarser ones.**

It is believed that this is normal pre-hibernation behavior for those species who take a winter nap, or is seen in animals needing less moisture in the diet for a certain period of time. The animal is the best judge of what it needs in its diet.

When a tortoise or other reptile is exposed to rich, lush greens for a long time, health problems and irregular growth are often the result. Too many young, green plants such as legumes, (clovers, alfalfas, etc.) contain far too much protein to be offered in large amounts. Although plant proteins are best for the vegetarian animal, more is not better, and too much is potentially harmful.

Grazing tortoises need lots of exercise and a diet high in fiber to maintain good digestive tract health. This type of diet allows the tortoise's digestive system the opportunity to absorb every bit of nutrient it needs. Animals eating natural food items have far less stool output with much less odor. Tortoises should not have any odor. Stools are firm, compact, and are virtually weightless and odorless when compared to fecal output from a tortoise which is fed either commercial tortoise foods or one which contains too many greens or grocery store produce. This diet permits VERY high digestibility.  Wild tortoises spend much of their waking hours walking in search of plants and grasses, and many species live in harsh environments. Often there are few "green" things to be found during the mid-to-late summer and early fall months.  In order to consume enough food, they must search for it. They walk great distances grazing, resting in scrapes or burrows to escape the heat of the day, again to return to grazing/walking/napping routine when temperatures cool enough. Many lizards act very much in the same manner.

Forage Mixes can also can be planted into sprouting trays. This works fantastic for the colder months for animals which either cannot (due to health reasons) or do not normally hibernate.   Normally, a number of trays are employed. As the graze grows, it may either cut off and offered to the animals, or trays can be placed into enclosures.  It's a good idea to have a number of trays on hand, so that as a tray is  grazed down,  it can be removed to allow rest and re-growth while another tray is offered. Planter boxes, window boxes, and interior ceramic or plastic pots and dishes all work well provided they receive bright light, warmth, have good drainage, and are watered regularly.

 For hatchling animals, the sprouts need not be as established as is the case with adults, as hatchling and juvenile animals need shorter, more tender plant matter to consume. Cutting off sprouts or offering free access when short is for them seems to be the best method.

To vary the diet, offer other items such as opuntia cactus pads, grape leaves, mulberry leaves, mallow, rose petals, nasturtium, dandelion greens and flowers, thistle, and hibiscus leaves and flowers.  A sample of each and every freshly hand mixed batch has always been, and will continue to be test sprouted to ensure the highest quality before offered for sale.

Our forage mixes are available in the USA only. For a list of ingredients included in our mixes, please CLICK HERE.