The problem as well Sarah is alot of research is done by the companys selling the products and scientists being paid by the companys

Yes there has been research but my point is has it been done over a tortoise life time, only then will we know the true results.

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People are to impatient to wait for results and would sooner put their torts at risk of unknown chemicals and artifical substances

You did start this discussion... definately not the debate...

Mazuri, the diet I use has been researched for well over 30 years. It has become popular recently but has been used in zoos for almost that long. It was formulated to head start Galapagos tortoises and is still used for that today.

There's not much published data because of the time it takes.

I, personally, have been using it for 8 years now. I've been closely in touch with keepers using it for longer than that.

I keep in touch with the nutritionist who monitors the formula from year to year. The formula is changed as new nutritional information as it pertains to tortoises becomes available.

I'm sorry to say Sarrah is correct in that I don't know what it will do to my tortoises 100 years from now. I do know that I have a better succes rate using this diet than providing a totally plant based diet with my tortoise and others have similar results...

It's a shame that so many more tortoises would survive if the concept of this diet would sink in. All I can do is pass along my learning and experience.

There was a study on Desert Tortoises using a similar diet... I'll see if that was published or not.

My life is not based on 'what if'... I like to think it is based on 'what is' and 'what could be'.

Time will tell and I'll keep yall posted... you obviously know I have no trouble sharing my successes... and failures. As I said before... I learn more from my failures than my successes...

I researched this diet for about 2 years networking with the people who developed it and those who used it including zoo keepers and researchers.

I then cautiously used it for about 2 years before becoming comfortable with it's uses.

I still watch closely with some of my practices in the use of this diet.

I wouldn't call that impatient...

But are these independant people doing the research besides tort keepers?

Two or four years is a mere beat in a torts life.

Yup definately true... That is why you take the information... research it yourself and see if there are any inconsistancies... then you form an opinion.

Again... from a common sense standpoint... is any successful company going to knowing put out a product that they know is going to be harmful... usually not but as with anything in human nature there is going to be good and bad... you do have a choice to choose what route you take.

Some are bad by nature and some a bad by ingnorance.

Well Ed i have been using a weed diet for over 10 years now and my 10 year old female has produced her first eggs.
I am having great results with this, which is close to nature as possible.

I think you are putting your tortoises at risk, if it has not be properly tested and i think you such stop telling people to use it without proper 100 years plus evidence.

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