Earthworms

[ShellyG]

We take our 8 month old sulcata outside every day for grazing and exercise. He finds dried up dead earthworms and tries to eat them. He's small enough we can take them away, but he doesn't let go very easily! He really wants to eat them. Should we let him?

 

[Speedy-1]

I am not saying it should be a regular part of his diet , but I don't think an occasional "sun dried" worm will hurt him . I imagine they have the opportunity to eat much worse things in the wild !

 

[Tom]

I agree with Speedy. Try to keep them away, but its not the end of the world.

What worries me more is how did the earthworms die? Why did they stay above ground in the sun? Were they poisoned? Did they encounter some lawn chemicals? For this reason, I would carefully check the outdoor enclosure every time before you put the baby tortoise out.

 

[Speedy-1]

I agree with Speedy. Try to keep them away, but its not the end of the world.

What worries me more is how did the earthworms die? Why did they stay above ground in the sun? Were they poisoned? Did they encounter some lawn chemicals? For this reason, I would carefully check the outdoor enclosure every time before you put the baby tortoise out.

Good point Tom , if it hasn't rained there why were they above ground ? Makes me wanna say Hmm ?

 

[Bogie=babyDINO]

My tort tries to eat them too! I'll get into a tug a war over a dead worm!! So gross lol

 

[ShellyG]

It has rained recently, but I haven't seen any live ones above ground lately. These were in our driveway. We don't use any chemicals on our lawn (and it shows, too, lol!), but I'm pretty sure our neighbors do. I guess we will try to find them before he does and keep taking them away from him when he does find them. Or keep him off the driveway and on the lawn!

 

[dmmj]

earthworms usually only surface to eat at night or die when it rains. and usually only sick or injured ones do so.

 

[Bogie=babyDINO]

Maybe they come up when the sprinklers go off