turtle diet/lighting

Question
hello...

I bought a turtle from a petstore about six months ago. they told me he was a ridgeback turtle. they said to feed him lettuce. Up until like 2 months ago, he was eating it. butt hen he stopped. I tried other things like peas and strawberries, but Im not sure. What should I be feeding him. also, what kind of lighting should he have? he is a land turtle. I have a lamp for dark time, its red, and a lamp for day, but im  not sure if they are the right kind. can you help me?
thanks...

Answer
Hello Sarah,  

Are you sure it's a ridgeback? I've did some research about this Ridgeback turtle (I've heard about the fact that many petshops actually claims the tortoise to be a "Ridgeback" without actually being sure at all) - and I couldn't find any other species than a subspecie from the softshell turtle.  Perhaps it might be a hingeback, that you've got?:
http://images.google.se/images?hl=sv&q=african+hingeback&gbv=2&safe=active

However, about the food: A well balanced diet for tortoises should contain about 75 % dark leafy greens, 10 % fruit and about 10 % pf commercial food (For example Reptomin).  
On the site http://www.carecentre.org.za/hingedback2.html , you can find a huge number of examples of food, that is good for your tortoise.

About lamps/light, you'll need:
-One Ultraviolet Light Bulbs, which produce rays similar to that of the sun. UV light enables the tortoise to synthesize its own supply of Vitamin D3.
- An infra-red basking bulb. Infra-red basking bulbs emit low light and necessary basking temperatures.

The temperatures should be around 80-85 degrees F (Normal temp) and 90-95 degrees F (Basking spot).
You can turn of the UV-light during the nights, since the tortoise won't need it then.

Best wishes
Sara