Tortoise poo (sorry)

[jmjspurs1]

Hi, i have had my 2 tortoises for a few days now and have bathing regular and they have disposed of some urates (maybe a little chalky so will bath daily for a while) but today in the bath was the first time i have seen them do a poo, what is normal for a Hermans of 4 years old? do they have bits of undigested food and does it always smell??
Sorry for this but i dont know what is normal.

[LEOPARD GECKO CRAZY]

probs coause it ot scared or just wanted a poo

mine did it yesturday

[jmjspurs1]

I dont mind the fact its while hes soaking but didnt know if it is ok to have bits of undigested food and does it always smell?

[Andy b 1]

yeah it always smells and occasionally has undigested stuff in it. should just be a green/brown pile of mess really

[jmjspurs1]

Thankyou Andy b 1, im not sure what i expected really and to be honest hadnt thought about it much, but it did smell, green/brown with little bits of what looked like broccoli, least he got a good clean while in his bath.

[Tina]

Originally Posted by Andy b 1

yeah it always smells and occasionally has undigested stuff in it. should just be a green/brown pile of mess really

No it shouldn't!!


jmjspurs1... if your tort is eating a good diet then no the poo doesn't normally smell and it will be solid. What are you feeding her?

[jmjspurs1]

It was fairly solid but because it was in the water it went soft quite quick, he is on dandelions, chickweed, clover, greens , broccoli/cauliflower and had a few grapes and apple yesterday (too much fruit?) with calcium sprinkled on.
Ive only had them a few days and already worrying!!

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by jmjspurs1

It was fairly solid but because it was in the water it went soft quite quick, he is on dandelions, chickweed, clover, greens , broccoli/cauliflower and had a few grapes and apple yesterday (too much fruit?) with calcium sprinkled on.
Ive only had them a few days and already worrying!!

This could be due to the fruit content - it's not necessary and upsets the gut flora resulting in what you describe. Broccoli and cauliflower and anything from the cabbage/brassica family is not good either as it stops calcium being absorbed by the body.

[Tina]

The good things on your feeding list are the dandelions, chickweed and clover. If you can't find enough weeds or plants yet to feed them (though you should be able to now) then mix in bits of Florette Crispy Leaves (sold in bags), chicory or watercress. The grapes and apple will upset their gut flora which will result in soft poos and the broccoli and cauliflower are both big no no's... take a look at this...

nutrient analyses of replacment tortoise foods

Also this feeding list... it's a very good guide of what you should be feeding...

Diet and healthy growth

[jmjspurs1]

Will look at the listand change what im feeding, not sure how long his poo has been like ths as prev owner has been feeding the broccoli, cauli, cabbage and carrots.