--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
just realised that thetortoisetable link is not working so here are the search results
Home
Plant Collections
Understanding Diets
Garden Shed Chat
Resources
Contact Us/Report an Error
TTT Disclaimer
Donate
Site Map
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tortoise Table Search
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Search Results for snap dragon:
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
No known hazards so the flowers and leaves are fine as part of a varied diet. See *Antirrhinum*....
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
No known hazards so the flowers and leaves are fine as part of a varied diet. See *Snapdragon*....
Home
Plant Collections
Understanding Diets
Garden Shed Chat
Resources
Contact Us/Report an Error
TTT Disclaimer
Donate
Site Map
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tortoise Table Search
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Search Results for hollyhock:
Foxglove
All parts are toxic containing cardiac or steroid glycosides but double check as Foxglove looks similar to Hollyhock which is fine for tortoises....
Hollyhock
Fine in moderation but do not confuse the leaves with those of Foxglove, which contains the highly toxic digitalis....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delphiniums poisonous also foxgloves
When we say snapdragon, do you mean the flower, or the 'sticky bud'? It's important to use latin names when talking about plants
Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
Common name : Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
Latin name : Antirrhinum majus
Family name : Scrophulariaceae
No known hazards so the flowers and leaves are fine as part of a varied diet. See *Snapdragon*.
Hollyhock
Common name : Hollyhock
Latin name : Alcea rosea
Family name : Malvaceae
Fine in moderation but do not confuse the leaves with those of Foxglove, which contains the highly toxic digitalis.
(03-28-2010 10:45 PM)wilsonathome Wrote: [ -> ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
just realised that thetortoisetable link is not working so here are the search results
Home
OK this is what Martin says below. I think what we all have to remember is that although certain plants might be OK is small doses when mixed in with other plants but if given as one whole meal or torts are allowed to graze them at will then problems might occur. I think we all know foxgloves are toxic <g> digitalis would likely kill them. Not sure where the confusion has come here as foxgloves are very distinct in their appearance. Maybe I have missed something. I think we also have to remember that things that can be OK for people are not necessarily OK for torts ( I love sorrel in my salad for instance but using it as tort food woudl be worse than feeding cabbage) this is why I don't really follow advice such as the TTT list. I think it is a bit vague for non professionals to make these lists and then stick a disclaimer at the end.
Obviously people are going to do what they think fit, but there are so many plants in the UK that are the same as those found in the natural habitat that it seems pointless to just add more and more to the list without really knowing the full content of these plants.
Any way here are Martins thoughts on the subject:
> Hi Martin
> I have it in my head that antirrhinums are not good for torts. Could
> you reassure me please if these are safe or not. Do they contain
> anything harmful please?
> Sue
The majority of sites list it as safe, Sue, although there is one site
that says it is toxic to rabbits and another that says it is mildly
toxic to children. I probably wouldn't deliberately feed to torts but I
always err on the side of caution.
--
Martin
[quote='tortoise_dude' pid='8139' dateline='1269814054']
It's important to use latin names when talking about plants
I couldn't agree more Josh - someone once asked about 'Rose of Sharon', one variety is deadly and another absolutely fine, plus what is good for people or listed on a general site as having no known hazards does not necessarily mean it is good for torts. This is one reason I do not agree with certain seeds being sold singly as tortoise foods. There are far too many peoiple out there who will feed a large amount of one type because it grows well, to the detriment of the animal. Sorry this sounds a bit negative, but I think it is an important point. One site recommends cleavers as a good food grown from seed, but it actually contains some very nasty glycogens which would soon lead to ill health is fed to excess, and we all know how rampant cleavers become in the hedgerows.
(03-28-2010 10:11 PM)wilsonathome Wrote: [ -> ]will be interesting to hear his reply as they really are safe to feed
Don't take this the wrong way but how do you know? AFAIK they do not grow in the native countries. Martin is hot on with his tort food and moderates on Annies list, so I tend always to go by his advice.
Out of interest Digitalis - found in fox glove plants is a highly useful drug in the treatment of some cardiac conditions - usually found in a clinically manufactured form in the hospital these days but foxgloves would always be planted in a matron's garden. Its presence in foxglove is a very good reason not to eat them (highly toxic and could cause serious heart problems) but isnt it interesting that the foxglove although no use as food but is highly useful in a medicinal way?
Ok - so whats wrong with cabbage? Im sure Ive seen a pet shop preparing cabbage for the torts? but I suppose it could have been spring green?
Ok - so whats wrong with cabbage? Im sure Ive seen a pet shop preparing cabbage for the torts? but I suppose it could have been spring green?
[/quote]
A lot of plants are useful in medicine but not as food. St Johns wort is a good antidepressant but would likely kill our torts if they took to eating it.
Cabbage has pretty high levels of oxalic acid which prevents the uptake of calcium to the bones, so not good to give very often, spring greens are brassicas too - pet shops are not a good source of info <g> as their main aim is to sell the torts and not to feed them properly.
(03-29-2010 05:12 PM)wizzasmum Wrote: [ -> ]A lot of plants are useful in medicine but not as food. St Johns wort is a good antidepressant but would likely kill our torts if they took to eating it.
amazing isnt it? sort of supports the ideas that some people put forward about there being a cure for every illness, so long as we look in the right place? St johns wort isnt good for humans under certain conditions either.
(03-29-2010 05:12 PM)wizzasmum Wrote: [ -> ]Cabbage has pretty high levels of oxalic acid which prevents the uptake of calcium to the bones, so not good to give very often, spring greens are brassicas too - pet shops are not a good source of info <g> as their main aim is to sell the torts and not to feed them properly.
So a big no to brassicas due to high oxalic acid levels? at least on a regular basis. Thank you for providing the info - as Im sure Ive said before there is lots of conflicting info available that doesnt explain why they are saying what they say. I like to know why? in the vast majority of situations!
So a big no to brassicas due to high oxalic acid levels? at least on a regular basis. Thank you for providing the info - as Im sure Ive said before there is lots of conflicting info available that doesnt explain why they are saying what they say. I like to know why? in the vast majority of situations!
[/quote]
When it comes to tortoises diet you will find no info better than that from Annie Lancaster on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tortoisenutrition
Annie has spent her life caring for animals and is probably one of the best out there where torts diet is concerned. She does not do any guess work and is able to answer all your 'why?' questions on a scientific level and in easy to understand English too LOL. You need to join yahoo groups first but once you have an account (free) you can just join any yahoo groups out there too with the same addy. It's a very worthwhile group to join.
Hope this helps
(03-29-2010 08:10 PM)clare Wrote: [ -> ]St johns wort isnt good for humans under certain conditions either
especially not if your on the pill
