General Care Discussion :: Turtle ate its own scutes?

[Meta]

Is it alright if my turtle eats its own scutes, i saw it eat one of its small scutes.

[BullDog]

I've heard of it turtles eating their scutes before. They'll eat almost anything! I understand there is a small risk of impaction, but if it was just a small scute, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Whenever you see a scute in the tank next time, scoop it out if you can, and that way you don't have to worry at all

[koreyleigh]

This is reminiscent of how my lab we find eating his own poop from time to time. And kids eating boogers. Like BullDog said, if it's small you should be ok - your turtle is an eating machine, but ok nonetheless

[mikee]

Met -- They will eat poo scutes and anything else that happens to get into their mouths. They care not if it is theirs or anyone elses doo. It is common and is a shock to new turtle owners. It is what turtles do. m