General Care Discussion :: Turtle Eating Floating Rock

[gummibaerchen44]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here.

I have a red eared slider, Franklin. He's about 10 months old now, and I've had him since he's was super tiny. My brother used to have turtles, so I know they are huge beggars, and Franklin has been no exception. However; recently I came home to find that he took a GINORMOUS chunk out of his floating rock. (this one -----> http://www.dreamaquatic.com/zoomed-float-dock-20.html) He's about three inches right now, and the bite is bigger than his body. I can see that he ate it though, because I see mouth marks.

So I took the rock out immediately and purchased a floating log. (http://www.paradisepetsupply.com/servle ... Log/Detail)
I figured the other fake rock was just old, since I've had it since I got him. But now I keep catching him nibbling on it! He hasn't taken a chunk out yet, but I'm afraid he will soon. Is this toxic? What can I do?

Thanks guys!

[Nettle]

Usually when a turtle decides to chomp down on their dock, it's a sign that they want cuttlebone. Cuttlebone is the bone of cuttlefish and is basically pure calcium. Turtles eat cuttlebone then bask under UVB rays which then turns into Vitamin D and fortifies the bones and shell.

If you start giving him cuttlebone and he likes it, then you can probably put the dock back in with out worrying about it (you can probably glue the pieces of the dock back with aquarium silicone and let it cure overnight). And be careful with the logs, because they can get stuck in the holes pretty easily.

[gummibaerchen44]

That makes sense, I will buy some cuttlebone for him asap.

As for gluing the pieces back together, I can't- he swallows them.... I'm really hoping it isn't harmful.

I'm looking into building my own contraption for a basking area sometime in the near future, this may be my best option.

[steve]

A custom basking area is great! You might want to see if you can get a warranty replacement on that other dock.