Testudo marginata and meat

[BenJT]

I have read from a number of sources that in the wild the marginated tortoise, the largest of all european tortoises is not only a herbivore but will eat the occassional carrion. I've also discovered in keeping these animals that they actually like eating arthropods, once I left a peice of cork in their out door summer enclosure and when I placed the tortoises in it the next year they went straight to the cork and feasted on the spiders and wood louse. I also offered one a cricket once to see what would happen, and to my surprise the animal was promptly and happily eaten. I know that this is far from the traditional keeping of tortoises, but if they do it in the wild then I see no reason why they can't do it in captivity. If any body could inform me of potential health risks, safe amounts of arthropods, and how frequently these animals scavenge carcasses/hunt insects in the wild it would be apreciated.

[Killian]

That is quite an interesting point, I dont keep tortoises but have heard of people feeding their animals cat and dog food. I am sure they wouldnt eat aything that was harmful to them but maybe monitor how much meat you feed them.