General Care Discussion :: Turtle eating its own poop?

[CrossKnight]

Very strange question I know.........
is it normal? Cause I don't think my turtle can tell the difference cause sometimes it does look like a pellet and he just bites at it. This all takes place underwater, is it only my turtle that does this or do your turtles do the same thing?

[Chrisbarnett]

It's completely normal. Tons of turtles do it.

I think they eat it to get the nutrients in it that they didn't digest the first time around.

[blackforces get you]

to prevent this i use waste degrader. it takes a while to get rid of the waste but it keeps the tank waste free. im not sure where to get it because my dad bought it and i wasnt there with him

[marisa]

They'll eat their own poop, especially when they're in a captive environment (the tank), naturally forage for food, and poop is what they find (and they are attracted to smelly things).

For me, smaller turtles seem more apt to do it than when they get larger (unless they're really hungry).

[Bascomb]

Cross-K -- Turtles do eat do do. There is little they won't eat. They will eat their scutes, doo and anothers tail if they can. There is some nitrate in doo and they will eat it. b.

[mzkitty23]

mine would never eat his own poo...but then again he won't eat ANYTHING "normal" turtles eat...

[Azfar]

hehe.. my turtles eat their own poop when they hungry i think .. they cannot differentiate the pellets and poops.. haha.. but its normal. its ok.

[CrossKnight]

ok, now I know its ok lol
Thank goodness >_<