Feeding and Nutrition :: Sweet Potato Leaves

[sonyj]

OK, guys. I need a little help deciding if these are good to feed Koopa in a balanced diet occasionally. Here's a link that gives all the nutritional info of the leaves: Sweet Potato Leaves

And if you're wondering why I want to know is that I have sweet potatoes growing in the garden for the first time. I'm just trying not to waste anything.

The calcium of one leaf is 5.9mg
The phosphorus of one leaf is 15.0mg

That's almost triple the phosphorus to the calcium. I'm just curious what a good phosphorus to calcium ratio is... anyone know? Thanks for your help.

[steve]

It's funny you used that link. I've been rewriting the site content the last 2 weeks and I've been using that site to research fruits and veggies. From all the information I've read about the calcium/phosphorus for turtles, it just seems that the calcium should be of a greater amount, no matter how little. Romaine and red leaf barely have more calcium than phosphorus. If you've been offering cuttlebone or a calcium supplement then it's fine. It would be under the "Use rarely" category. A pellet like reptomin is 2% calcium and 1.8% phosphorus.

Here's a good site for more fruit and veggie info:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/nutrientanalysis.htm

[sonyj]

Thanks... I may give him a few because they are on hand but I won't worry about too many. I just stumbled on that site, but it's really handy. I've been looking up everything I can think of.

[reptilegrrl]

The calcium should always be MUCH greater than phosphorus. Phosphorus binds with calcium and carries it out of the body. High phosphorus foods can deplete the body of calcium and lead to illness and death.

Why don't you eat the leaves yourself? Your body is better equipped to handle them.

anapsid.org has some good info about ratios.

[marisa]

I've always read that at least a 2:1 ca/phos ratio is good. But if a turtle has a balanced diet, occasionally straying from that standard won't hurt.