HOW WE FEED OUR REPTILES! (Snakes, Tortoises, Turtles, Lizards!)

#tortoise #lizard #snake
Garden State Tortoise acts as a reptile rescue, breeding facility and conservation hub for a plethora of animals. Everything from common to critically endangered lives here and well, they all have mouths that have to be fed. Reptile education isn’t just about being able to properly identify species or how to build an enclosure for them, it’s about the right diet too. Keeping up with feeding a large volume of animals is hard enough but making sure each species’ diet is appropriate is another challenge. Sometimes the healthiest items aren’t easily accessible and we have to substitute. In this video we take you on a tour as we shop for foods for some of our many reptiles and feed them.
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Who is Garden State Tortoise?
However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our KZbin channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone

[@brendaz9222]

I love Otis! He needs his own show 🥰

[@brenjn45]

Am I the only one who thinks small tortises and turtles have the cutest little mouths? 🐢 😍 You're so awesome in the way you care for these animals.

[@loriw2661]

Otis cracked me up! Lol! I was wondering if cutting the whole fish up would’ve made a difference to the snapper. Or is it the feel of the skin, etc., that he didn’t like. Though it’s probably more likely he just didn’t like the taste? Also, I learned that Mata-mata’s use suction to draw in their prey. Too cool!!! 🐢❤️🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Funny you recommend that, because he ate almost the entire fish after we were done filming. Go figure!

[@daemonember]

Maybe he needed to make some room for the big meal

[@lorrainemunoa791]

Love seeing you pull from your own clean backyard to feed the torts! Brings back fun memories. When I had a tortoise, I grew strawberry leaves (not the fruit!) and sow thistle for them to eat, along with other things. Our local grocery even had organic dandelion greens to mix in! Fun to see so many animals getting their treats! Aw, holiday bananas! Glad Chief Brody is doing well.

[@raebsen]

I think I could watch you feed every single animal for 2+ hrs and be in total bliss 😄

[@BSIII]

Those Egyptian mini tortoises are the cutest tortoises I've ever seen.

[@marysaltlife1427]

Very interesting video. Thanks for sharing. Oatis is my favorite and the Egyptian turtles are close behind. Happy New Year! Be well.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching! Happy new year to you too!!

[@AlleneSR]

I love your informative videos and of course, I love Otis!! Happy New Year!!

[@TFerrazzo72]

What an awesome video! Don't know how I'm just now finding your channel, but I'll be tuning in a lot more!

[@kristinmcintosh91]

This once again amazing! Love the editing so much too! 😍

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you thank you 🙏🏻

[@kristinmcintosh91]

Guys you have no idea what it takes to get this far take time with your animals and love conservation in every form.

[@MamaJ1997]

Happy New Year everyone🎉 I really enjoyed this video! Could you possibly show more “tour” type videos every so often? Thank you for sharing your passion with us.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year! And thank you! Yes we are planning some tour videos for this year. Thank you for the suggestion! 👍🏻😀

[@mitsuki4098]

Mata Matas are in my top two favorite water turtles! The Diamond terrapin is my other favorite. Lol. Total contrasts. Mata Matas are so cryptic and Diamond terrapins are so beautifully patterned.

[@Nemodog]

Otis: "Don't wants the roach! Wants the nose! Gimme the nose!"

[@chanterelle483]

Looks like Otis wants no food but to give you kisses instead, lol.

[@em-agan]

So so cute, could I suggest some merch? I’ve been thinking of a simple side silhouette of Otis looking up at you. Id absolutely buy that up immediately! Maybe also putting y’all’s logo or name somewhere small but visible on the shirt or pullover

[@GardenStateTortoise]

We have an entire shop at the top of our KZbin channel. Just click the store tab! 😊

[@alliseuss1555]

Watching this while my precious little baby from GST enjoys his daily soak. These animals are such a delight.

[@crochetology12]

Happy New Year everyone, especially Otis. 🎉

[@rosesperfumelace]

When my daughter wanted a bearded dragon, I was like ok. Not knowing I was gonning to be feeding 200 dubia roaches too lol 🤣 I did fall in love with the beardy, she named him Reptar. 😉

[@StonedtotheBones13]

Awww I love the Egyptian's lil cheek spots 🥺

[@jasperdrawings]

Thanks for pointing out the poop. It’s disgusting but it really is the best and one of the easiest way to tell how your animal is doing on the diet your providing.

[@casewojo6186]

I subscribed to you when you guys were below 100k subs. It’s damn cool to see how well your channel is doing. You taught me how to raise box turtle hatchlings, thank you!

[@aprilbolivar4719]

Thank you so much! My Hermann’s thanks you too because mom didn’t realize what purple nettle looked like without the flowers 🙈😂

[@synvaVal]

Otis is like 1 in a million type of tortoise, actually interacts with you.

[@charliethetortoisebrzeczkowski]

I'm so glad I found your channel. It makes me feel better knowing I'm doing my best for my Charlie. Plus I get a kick out of Otis. As a tortoise goes, Charlie's pretty well trained to come over when called LOLLING and he only "bites" if you have treats in your hands

[@anastasiap.6435]

What a great job you are doing with those animals. You definitely seem to love them and they seem to love you. Congrats!

[@AvengerII]

I have to admit -- rat snakes are cool. In my years walking through a metro park, I bumped into rat snakes crawling along the trail maybe a half-dozen times. I never bugged them, they never bugged me! It helped me knowing they were nonvenomous (towards people, anyway) so I wasn't afraid of them. I did eyeball them a few times and the snakes seemed to stare back with curiosity. The closest time I came to a tense situation was running across a VERY young (probably less than 3 months old) rat snake that was standing straight up like a stick and baring its fangs. I came upon it in this situation -- only THE SECOND TIME I've seen a snake pose like this. (I saw another probably poisonous snake from a distance standing erect in a jungle in Belize.) I didn't get very close because the animal was stressed and I walked away from it. When I returned to the same spot about 20 minutes later, the young snake had left the paved trail and was probably hiding in the grass. The same metro park had an albino white snake in an enclosure in the ranger station. They took care of it because that animal would not have survived in the wild. Last I remember, it had been taken into vet care because the animal got sick. It's been years since I've been in that park but the animal might still be alive. They can live upwards of 34 years at least! That's about twice as long as my family's eldest cat lived (18 years in her case)!

[@hisnamewasrocco]

Happy new year from Massachusetts to all!!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year!

[@belindahawkins4083]

Really appreciate the non-condsending education u give me Thank u

[@chrisbaker7302]

Those rhino iguanas are hilarious. Like crazy dogs.

[@jelliemish]

I love how Otis is his own separate category 😂

[@4realnik]

damn he feeding his turtle better than i feed myself🤦🏿‍♂️

[@AmandaPaige71]

Why is it so satisfying to me to watch and hear animals eat but I can't stand muk bangs with people eating and making noise? lololol

[@KeithRN]

Vinny and friends ♥️. Egyptian tortoises are the best. So small and cute.

[@gemmacruz8529]

Very interesting and thank you for showing so many other weeds that we can use to feed our tortoises. But, could you please provide their scientific names??? Many weeds and plants have different common names around the world and it can be confusing.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching! That’s a great idea. I will keep that in mind for the next time we cover weeds and greens!

[@tiffanykistler1480]

Thank you for sharing dude❤I absolutely enjoyed this entertaining video very educational!! I'm definitely going to be a turtle parent soon!! Looking forward to more videos ❤❤❤🎉

[@tiffanykistler1480]

I love all of ur babies ❤😂omg they are so beautiful

[@William_Does_Coasters2255]

I have a spur-thighed tortoise and it’s crazy how you can just go out and pick stuff here in the UK.

[@bengaltiger1667]

Would you guys mind doing a tour of all of your animals and enclosures?

[@professorakiba434]

When you speak of shell health I was surprised because I always thought the key to stronger shell was sunlight. When I had a painted turtle long time ago I always had its enclosure where sun could hit it so the turtle could enjoy basking in the natural light

[@MrPeter924]

Great video great view. Fishing. And reptile. Aquarium. Happy New year 2023.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year! Thank you!

[@twoturtletom]

Happy New Year! Great video Leone family.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year!! Thank you so much Tom!

[@kirstysmith2903]

As always a very interesting video and very well made.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you so much!!!

[@MsCrazycatlady]

Wow, Otis? Is a handsome snake.

[@meg2831]

I loved seeing a lot of your animals. Honestly I'm curious just how many different species of animal you have. How long does it take you to feed everybody when they are all awake and active during the summer?

[@PilsnerGrip]

I just found your channel recently, I love it! Happy new year for all of you guys!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Welcome and thank you!! Happy new year!

[@embracenreborns6997]

Awesome feeding video can you do a video on leopard tortoise care I just got one the Wednesday before Christmas 👀 💚 🐢

[@BooneeXCdad]

With all the ponds (or potential ponds 😏) on your property, any thoughts about small scale fish breeding like mosquito fish, other minnows/chubs, bullheads) to keep availability and quality high and yearly costs lower? Also, Otis' behavior is so intetesting. Have you done lab work comparing hormone levels in males that act like Otis v more tradional male behavior?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

That’s a great idea for Otis! We have a great vet team that we work with and can bring that up to them. We are already breeding mud minnows in a few of our ponds. But with the recent heavy freeze it would’ve been impossible for me to get a significant amount of them. A friend of ours is going to help us get started with breeding mosquito fish this year.

[@BooneeXCdad]

@@GardenStateTortoise Cool. As as always, love the content.

[@lisagray8932]

I love ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ the way you Always take care 💅💅💅💅💅 care of all your turtle 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢 I love your baby turtle 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢 and big turtle's 🐢❤️🐢❤️🐢❤️🐢❤️🐢 I'll be your friend's ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Happy new year 🎈🎊🎉🎊🥳🎉

[@annah8380]

It is so interesting seeing all the different creatures you have. How long does it take you to feed them all each day? Also, do your tortoises eat every day or do they eat on a different schedule?

[@bryonflaherty5957]

I breed dubia and hissers. And my local reptile shop started getting banded crickets which seem to breed like crazy in my large frilled lizard enclosure.

[@Hewbrry496]

Nice work my man😂

[@pascalemerk-vandijk7169]

Otis loves you more than those roaches!

[@Jen.and.Ben.]

can you make a video about different plants you use for your enclosure? how you set it up, where you get them, etc. I just got a Russian tortoise and im contemplating if I should use live plants or fake ones.? enjoy your videos!

[@glisa3801]

THE EGYPTIAN TORTOISES ARE SO SMALL!! So small

[@beverlyjensen443]

As always, great fun! Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you! Happy new year!

[@yAveragejoe]

😂😂Turtle Farts!!

[@janesoulharding8128]

Fab video guys thank you xxxx x

[@caffienatedtactician]

14:46 the branzino is a dark fish- maybe he had trouble seeing it against the dark tub wall?

[@visuallanguage]

Otis! 💜 Do you give him bits of banana too?

[@rednosepit301]

Happy New Years….. Great video, do you know any Egyptian tortoise breeders? I would love to have a pair

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year! We are hoping to have success again with ours in the next year or so. I would recommend looking up Ralph Till!

[@luluddreamer]

Love this video!

[@SpicyMcChimken]

Otis loves you so much 🥰

[@NicNakBraun]

I never thought about turtles eating fish. Right on!! I miss my 🐢

[@NicNakBraun]

Sry tortoise 🐢

[@GardenStateTortoise]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@saltcityreptileranch]

Happy new years!!

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year!

[@gacha_chloeworldlol5656]

Hi I love your channel. I have a question. My my diamond back terrapin refuses to eat the tetra staple food. Will only accept shrimp. Is It time for me to do live food? I'm a vegetarian so it's really hard for me to watch her kill and eat fish. But if that's what she needs I will switch. Thx for any input

[@tonymonahan1185]

That was fabulous!

[@trinityflores9663]

I’m sure you’ve covered this before, but how do you feel about mazuri tortoise diet? I feed my russian tort plenty of fresh veggies but am interested to know your thoughts!

[@evonnewhalen9794]

I’m curious. How do you deworm your snapping turtles if and when they need it done?

[@caroleparias6197]

I think Otis was more interested in a piece of your nose😊

[@DSheartlady]

such an interesting video great video happy new year🙂

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you so much! Happy new year to you as well!

[@bensonng877]

My marginated tortoise is 5 months old, unfortunately last week she fail out of the box at the height around 3 feets. The next day she ate normally and was very active. But since yesterday she ate not too much, but just little bit. The shell is intact, idk whether she got internal injuries or not. Hopefully i get some advices from you Sir. I appreciate that 😢

[@alexdenham2715]

Quick question, would you recommend small dubia roaches to Red Foot Tortoises? Once a week at most.

[@chrisbaker7302]

That matamata is so weird and cool.

[@wendypope6262]

I want to see more of Otis❤❤❤

[@belindahawkins4083]

The blue frog dudes like the tiny creepy crawlies dudes Ok

[@belindahawkins4083]

They said thank u dude

[@rachaelgosser5659]

My yard is 80% purple dead nettle. I never knew what it was called til today.

[@thunderlightninggorving6044]

We bought a baby Marginated Tortoise about a month ago. We have offered it many different choices, but it doesn’t really seem to have any interest in eating any of it. Any suggestions on how to get it eating? Thanks

[@thunderlightninggorving6044]

Newly hatched baby.

[@elkalejuice]

Greek tortoises pleaasee, all the types and not just ibera, how you keep them at gst, their personalities, how they compare to eg. Eastern hermanns in terms if why you would recommend one over the other.. not many indepth videos of them 🙏

[@JeanetteIacovone]

Can you leave live food in box turtles homes so they can eat as much and when they want?

[@pdmullgirl]

Oh that was fun! ❤️💜💚

[@TravellingTortuga]

How do you introduce live plants or cleaner fish to an aquatic turtle, without them immediately eating them?

[@kaconghoby8006]

So cute brother.. 😍😍😍

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Love this

[@krista2216]

Otis is hilarious! And beautiful. If I got a turtle or tortoise, it would be a male of his species

[@amandamusic5746]

When it's warm do you just let the tortoises graze outside?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Many of our tortoises, the species that naturally hibernate in winter, live outside 24/7, 365 days a year. The others stay indoors from late November until late March and then go back outside again.

[@gerrinickolson2314]

Go Brody Go!!!

[@JeanetteIacovone]

Will chief Brody eat crawfish?

[@Drew_Requiem]

do you feed your baby tortoises grass?

[@toddtrierweiler958]

Happy New Year 🎆

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Happy new year!

[@mrrisk_2]

HEY CAN I GIVE YOU 2 QUESTION? Q:DOES TORTOISE SOMETIME LAY EGGS INSIDE YHE THE TANK Q:IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MALE TORTOISE CAN LAY EGGS?

[@BlaineHeggie]

1:08 Someone please fill me in. What's bad about feeding them goldfish?

[@turtle9727]

I don't think I want to kiss Otis any more....lol

[@neveralone7]

How is Artemis?

[@joymcguire]

We jokingly refer to that place as "PetStupid"

[@silviavoss6411]

It is cool Opel eats rodents and helps to keep the populations down, I rescued a black rat snake off a road so that a vehicle didn't run him or her over, it was huge.

[@glowworm7575]

How many animals do you care for at Garden State Tortoise? Looks like a lot of mouths to feed already!

[@RoseDragoness]

It is a cool video but the music is way too loud. If I reduce the volume down, then I have hard time hearing your voice cause they are way lower than the music.

[@Dovietail]

MORE weed videos, please! How about a SOUTHWEST version?

[@silbermarane105]

And thexwinner ist: Otis.😃

[@포오레]

구독해놨는데 알림에 안뜸ㅋㅋ

[@charliethetortoisebrzeczkowski]

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