2006-07-01 11:02:45 · 7 answers · asked by Tony F 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Turtles are natrual foragers and put a lot of things in their mouths. Often they will swallow rocks as well. Remove the gravel in the tank or else they will continually swallow it and cause impaction, which will require medical attention. If it has swallow a few dozen, no worries. Just don't keep gravel in their tank indefinitely. As for the already swallowed rocks, they will poop it out.
2006-07-01 11:08:31 · answer #1 · answered by wu_gwei21 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. They eat some rocks to give them a little weight and stability while swimming
2. They eat more rocks because the rocks and coverings on the rocks taste better to them than the food they are offered
3. They eat some rocks and their coverings to get trace elements missing in their diet.
4. They eat some rocks out of curiosity and boredom
In other words- diet is a common reason. Most caged turtles in the US are not getting a proper diet because of misinformation about turtle diets.
Find a high-quality pelleted turtle food to feed your turtles while you learn more about their nutritional needs and most of the rock eating should stop.
Eating a few rocks is not a problem, but too many can cause a lot of intestinal problems and blockages. If it remains a problem, take the rocks out and either use a bigger, harder to eat rock, or a bare tank bottom.
2006-07-02 13:05:47 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some turtles have problems digesting tough plants. The rocks help grind up food and aid dijestion
2006-07-02 15:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by Han Solo 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it helps them to digest their food. they don't have all the acid that we humans do and rocks help to crush up food and digest better.
2006-07-01 18:05:53 · answer #4 · answered by okronbon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turtles eat rocks?!?!?!?? !!! :O:O
2006-07-01 18:06:00 · answer #5 · answered by Meh... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
boyancy. that doesn't look right but you get the idea.
2006-07-01 18:05:10 · answer #6 · answered by fooz1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think so... to clear their systems??
2006-07-02 07:17:32 · answer #7 · answered by SNIKT. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋