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Old 15-05-2008, 10:54 AM
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Default Eating stones

i have recently noticed that my tort has started eating small stones, does anyone know of the reason for this, she passes them ok. advice anyone please.
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Old 15-05-2008, 11:16 AM
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im not sure but my mums tortoise used to try and do this but we didn't let her lol.
i thought it could be minerals or something? or to aid digestion like some reptiles might do it.
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Old 15-05-2008, 11:17 AM
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Try giving her a cuttlefish - mine like them when they are weathered so I keep them outside in the rain before they have them
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Old 17-05-2008, 04:13 PM
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my tort does it too.
i think they might just mistake it for food or something..
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Old 17-05-2008, 05:50 PM
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Have you checked the books for your particular species? That is the first place to start, and also the Tortoise Trust and other decent websites.

My own thoughts are that it could be either a need for more calcium (so the cuttlefish idea is a good one) or, less probable in my view, a habit similar to some creatures that swallow stones to either aid in crushing up food (birds) or as a means of countering buoyancy (crocs). (Almost certainly not the latter!). Since the body of a tortoise lacks the slightly expansive capabilities of most other vertebrates, I'd be a bit worried if I thought it were taking in stones.
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