Jabutis are the most popular reptiles among pet owners. Easy to raise, docile and calm, these little animals don't make messes, don't need vaccines and are very resistant. In order for them to develop well and healthily, they need certain differentiated care, especially in relation to feeding. See now what jabutis can and cannot eat!

Balanced diet

Belonging to the chelonian order - which also includes turtles and terrapins - jabutis are omnivorous, meaning that they feed on both animal and plant matter. However, their diet should be based on the following proportion: 70% vegetables, 15% legumes, 10% fruit, and 5% calcium, other minerals, and protein.

It is recommended to feed the jabuti once a day. Following the proportion mentioned above, you can offer your pet fruits such as apple, pear, guava, mango, tomato, papaya, and peach. Remember to remove the apple seeds! They contain cyanide, a substance that in large quantities can harm the animal.

Throughout the week, try to diversify your diet. Serve leaves and vegetables daily, fruit at least five times a week, and animal protein one to three times.

Favorite foods

Rocheli Tugera / Pixabay

The favorite vegetables of the jabutis are the dark colored ones: sweet almonds, endive, arugula, cabbage, spinach, and broccoli are some of the most pleasing to the palate of this hoofed reptile. As for his favorite vegetables, add maxixe, cucumber, and grated carrot to the menu.

You can offer your jabuti a boiled egg in its shell, because it is rich in calcium, an important element for the health and growth of the carapace of these animals. Jabuti also love to eat small portions of raw ground meat, insects, live worms, and small amounts of dog food moistened in filtered water.

You can find them in petshops, the extruded or pelleted feeds are a great choice to add to the diet of these animals. As they are designed based on the nutritional needs of the jabutis, their content includes all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals required for the proper functioning of their bodies.

It is possible to have a diet based only on food, but try to at least add fiber to the menu for the proper functioning of the intestines of these animals!

Remember also to leave water at will. Pour it into a large container, but not too deep, so that the jabutis can take advantage of the container to cool off in it. Try to clean the trough every day, because some impurities can contaminate them.

Redoubled care

If you live in a space with a lot of sand and stones, be careful! Always make sure that your jabuti is getting enough food. In the absence of food, it can ingest these items mentioned. If you have cats or dogs, collect their feces frequently, as these can also attract your reptile.

Avoid serving too many fatty fruits, such as avocado and banana, as they can cause diarrhea in your Jabuti.

You may also like

• Feed your pet a natural diet
• Reflect on the treatment of animals
• Understanding Integrative Veterinary Medicine

If you still have any doubts about how to feed your pet correctly, go to a specialist!