Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:38 pm
I've seen land turtles eat the flowers, but I've never given them to my aquatics (to me they're not bitter---I've tasted them). I've never seen dandelions as part of the bagged salad mixes that can be bought here, perhaps this is the norm in other parts of the country. Larger supermarkets that sell a lot of different types of veggies usually sell dandelions by the pound (you can get bunches that are less than a pound if you look). The supermarket nearest me sells both the organic and regular variety. I try to buy the organic leaves because they're usually smaller, more tender and less bitter (some aren't at all).
I do use them in my own salads as well. They're better for your turtle than any of the lettuces, and if your turtles eat them that's great. I feed them to my turtles more frequently than any other green, but do alternate with other plant matter. In the spring I will pick my own sometimes, but actually like them better from the store.
"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." -Antoine de Saint Exupery-
If you pick your own, make sure they haven't been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.