I'm trying to get a general consensus on how people feel about REDFOOT tortoises who eat rocks. I know there are members who have had x-rays done and found that their 'normal' tortoises have bellies full of rocks.
I have a couple of torts who have passed gravel and its usually a small piece here or there. It still happens and they haven't been anywhere near a rock since September.
Today I came home to a flipped tortoise. (She is okay, had a good soak and a big plate of Mazuri and treats) I noticed that she pooped twice while trying to right herself. The first one was normal and the second was runny and full of pea gravel (probably 20 small round pieces). I NEVER see this tortoise eat rocks, but she is outside in the summer so who knows. I was theorizing that in her struggles she emptied her digestive tract.
Should I be concerned that she was full of rocks? Should I be concerned that she is no longer full of rocks? Should I schedule my herd for exploratory radiographs to see what they are full of other than poop? Should I offer some seedy fruits to try to put something other than rocks into them? They love a good papaya. I know that reds eat seedy fruits in the wild and I wonder if I offer more if they might eat fewer rocks when I'm not looking.
Thanks!
I have a couple of torts who have passed gravel and its usually a small piece here or there. It still happens and they haven't been anywhere near a rock since September.
Today I came home to a flipped tortoise. (She is okay, had a good soak and a big plate of Mazuri and treats) I noticed that she pooped twice while trying to right herself. The first one was normal and the second was runny and full of pea gravel (probably 20 small round pieces). I NEVER see this tortoise eat rocks, but she is outside in the summer so who knows. I was theorizing that in her struggles she emptied her digestive tract.
Should I be concerned that she was full of rocks? Should I be concerned that she is no longer full of rocks? Should I schedule my herd for exploratory radiographs to see what they are full of other than poop? Should I offer some seedy fruits to try to put something other than rocks into them? They love a good papaya. I know that reds eat seedy fruits in the wild and I wonder if I offer more if they might eat fewer rocks when I'm not looking.
Thanks!