How often should he go

[kittie]

I am new to Russian Tortoises and I can't remember from the box turtles we had as kids but how often should they poop? I just got it yesterday and he has pooped 4 times and it it quite hard and looks like a large pellet. Is this normal?

 

[dmmj]

no 4X is a lot in one day. Plus it should look like a cigar roll

 

[kittie]

Thank you. Cigar roll is a good description so that part seems good but it does deficate more often than it should then. It's gone again since I posted that question and I gave it a good 15 minute soak.

 

[Sara G.]

What is your torts diet?

 

[dmmj]

I'm sort of unsure as to what would cause frequent defecation. If it was diarrhea I could say parasites or diet.

 

[kittie]

At the pet store where it had been for a month or so they were feedin it kale, spring mix, carrots and a pelleted food crushed and sprinkled over the top. What I saw in the cage was just that but wilted and dry. I have it on a good fresh leafy dandelion, kale and baby lettuce mix from the organic place down the road and a small bit of chopped Timothy hay from my barn

 

[JoesMum]

If poop is a bit hard then more hydration is needed. Maybe cut back on the timothy hay a little?

As for volume, it always seems disproportionately large for the size of the tort.

Grasses are hard to digest - they provide fiber - that's why cows and sheep chew cud to give grasses a second go and rabbits eat their droppings for the same reason.

 

[kittie]

Thank you. I will cease the Timothy for a few days to see if that helps it as that is new to what they told me he was eating. I don't believe this tortoise had been receiving regular soaks either. Just since his soak yesterday he seems to be feeling much better