humidity

[Tom O.]

Today i put something in the enclosures as a test:

I did not have the time for fill it with water

They eat of it

they drink out of it

its help for humidity, drinkplace and if they eat it its good for calcium.

 

[mainey34]

Hmmm.. just natural grit?

 

[Tom O.]

Yes.
I use it before, but not in a scale now the water stand in it.

 

[Redstrike]

Any impaction concerns?

 

[RedfootsRule]

Any impaction concerns?

I would have serious concerns...This is meant for chickens, not tortoises...

 

[Yvonne G]

Birds have what is called a gizzard. They use grit in the gizzard to help in grinding up the whole seeds that they eat. Tortoises don't have gizzards. If a tortoise eats a lot of grit he's liable to become impacted. I would not use grit in a tortoise habitat.

Also, grit is tiny stones, not calcium.

 

[Redstrike]

Any impaction concerns?

I would have serious concerns...This is meant for chickens, not tortoises...

The pieces also look flat, which could make them difficult to pass depending on their orientation within the intestines and colon. If they were smaller and more rounded, I'd think it'd be easier to move along the tort's GI tract and pass. Just my thoughts...

Let us know how it works out!

Still love those glass-fronted enclosures you've made, they're the model I'll be following on my next build!

 

[mctlong]

What is in grit? Is that small rocks? They cannot digest rocks and they end up getting stuck in their gut and causing serious health problems.

Can you tell us more about this grit product?

---

Oh, I see now that Yvonne said that it is small stones. Yes, in that case, you may want to consider removing the grit.

 

[mainey34]

I wasnt sure so i looked it up. Oyster shellls, sillex, and red brick particals. I looked dont think i want to feed that to my. Torts. I cant imagine what it would do to their insides...

 

[Yvonne G]

Grit doesn't usually contain oyster shell (calcium), but rather small loose stones and bits of sand.

 

[Redstrike]

It is not uncommon for herbivores to ingest some grit to aid them with digestion - tortoises aren't an exception. Mine often go after some dirt when they're outside, I just think that material looks flat and jagged, seems pretty tough to pass and I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Tom O.]

You guys think its a bad idea? Ok i'm gonne remove it today.

 

[RedfootsRule]

It is not uncommon for herbivores to ingest some grit to aid them with digestion - tortoises aren't an exception. Mine often go after some dirt when they're outside, I just think that material looks flat and jagged, seems pretty tough to pass and I wouldn't risk it.

Several reptiles (mostly crocodylidae) will ingest some rocks to help with digestion...But it is round, smooth rocks. These are far to jagged. Upon ingestion it would likely shred the intestines; actually, I wouldn't even want to think of what would happen just going down.
Its definitely un-safe.

 

[mainey34]

Grit doesn't usually contain oyster shell (calcium), but rather small loose stones and bits of sand.

Usually does not, but i looked the product up and this is what it said was in the bag.