My turtle eats rocks. What can I do?

Question

I have been using large rocks as land in my turtle tank, which is what I have been doing for turtles in the past for a long time. My newest turtle has been eating and pooping out rocks. They are very large, I didnt think they could even fit in his mouth. Why is he doing this? I'm worried that my turtle has more rocks inside of him. How do I know if he has rocks in his stomach and cant pass them? Should I take him to the vet? And what can I use for land as an alternative?

This is a water turtle by the way. I need water and land.

Answer 1

Turtles tend to eat rocks. Small rocks (small smooth gravel) tend to get passed easily. Larger, coarser rocks, like typical fish tank gravel, causes a lot of problems- it does not look like rocks, it is coarse enough to cause injuries and not pass smoothly, etc.

If you use rocks. they need to be either very small, or very large. Instead of a pile of rocks for a land space, which is rough on the turtle's shell, you can try driftwood or plastic ramps/docks.

Answer 2

is it a water turtle or a land turtle cause if its a water turtle just put sand in the bottom and that will fix it but if its a land turtle i use dirt or like this stuff i got from the pet store and go to the vet and check on him and ask the vet what to do hope it helps K

Answer 3

Well if your turtle starts to smoking rocks then you really got a problem.

But take him to a vet. Also, in the bottom is the URL. I read it and learned something. Different turtles, different care. Hopes this helps.

Answer 4

Nothing, it is normal behavior for some species to consume gravel ie..Diamondback Terrapins do it religiously. Although the exact reason for this is open to debate, the most prevalent theory is that the gravel aids in the digestive process. Don't worry about blockage, they will "pass the stones", so to speak.

Answer 5

some turtlels eat rocks to help digest food...the rock in there stomack grinds up the food and helps them digest it. but i would not reccomend you letting him have all those rocks to "eat"you could use sand as a terrain...this would be a better alternative

Answer 6

take him to the vet and see if the vet has alternative ideas if not try shredded paper in the bottom and put in a log or something

Answer 7

take the rocks away from him and just give him food

Answer 8

You should put in some smaller rocks/sand that he can swallow.

Answer 9

it's fine, they're good for digestion