General Care Discussion :: NEW! Easy way to peel your cuttle bone!

[crackerlady2007]

Hey everyone! I accidentally discovered an easier way to peel your cuttle bone! I was reading a post about it earlier today and I was thinking. "Uh.... Is THAT why my turtle won't eat it?!" I had NO idea I was supposed to peel the silly thing, so I went straight way, pulled it out to dry, peeled the back up one with a knife, (poked myself a few times) broke it in half, etc. and finally put it in. After a few hours I went to check on the one I'd pulled out to dry, and all the edges were all peeling up! I was able to chip a large part of it off with my fingernail and only had to use a knife on the middle!

Anyway, I don't know how many people want to leave their cuttle bone to soak for a week before they can peel it, but it IS an option!

[BullDog]

Good to know!
I've heard of people soaking it overnight, perhaps to the same effect?

Doesn't work for me though, because I usually realize the turts haven't had any for a while, and find out I'm out of it, so peel it then

[frog]

whats cuttle bone for?

sorry, new to turtles. im used to beardie and leo gecko terms, i've owned them for a while, learned terms, etc. but turtle terms people use i keep end up saying, What?

sorry if i ask. but dont worry, once i learn them i (hopefully LOL) wont forget!

Sara

[marisa]

Cuttlebone is a source of dietary calcium for turtles. If you search the forum a little, you'll find quite a few threads on it.

[frog]

ok, sorry for asking before searching it. thanks for answering anyways

[mat012]

I am probably dense on this one too. I couldnt find anything to peal on the cuttle bone I bought. So I just put it in. Tuck is eating it. So do some come "ready pealed"?

[SpotsMama]

Well, they don't come ready peeled (unfortunately). The reason to peel (or pry) the hard plastic-like layer off is that it isn't digestible and often breaks off with sharp points that can cut a turtle inside. Your turtle could go for quite a while without being harmed by eating un-peeled cuttlebone, but why take a chance?

[mat012]

Got it pealed. Thanks for the info. I had thought that there was some sort of paper backing that folks were talking about. When I pulled the cuttlebone from the package I didnt see any "backing" and just put it in. Since it had been in the water on a clip it was easy to peel. Glad to be corrected. Want to keep Tuck safe.

[skyrink]

instead of using the cuttlebones, can turtles get the same amount of calcium putting one of those "dissolving turtle shaped white thingies" in the tank? i was told it achieves the same effect....

[Tenodera]

instead of using the cuttlebones, can turtles get the same amount of calcium putting one of those "dissolving turtle shaped white thingies" in the tank? i was told it achieves the same effect....

No, those aren't made of calcium, eating those won't do a thing at all. Maybe a upset stomach maybe, but it won't have any calcium benefits.

[marisa]

Some do contain a form of calcium, but it's a form that's not easily utilized by turtles.

[skyrink]

well i asked two pet stores regarding how turtles can get calcium and suggested those cuttlebone thingies, but they both suggested the disolving white turtle thingy. the turtle doesnt eat it, it disolves in the water for the turtle to breathe in perhaps? i dunno....so u all suggest getting the cuttlebones instead? the same type that are meant for birds to peck on? thanks.

[octpusgirl8]

Yes, get the cuttlebones. The disolving turtle shaped thing is a sulfa block if i'm not mistaken. If they eat it (and they probably will) it will give them a bit of digestive trouble. Cuttlebone is cheap, easy to find, and a dependable source of calcium.

[zoologist]

the sulfa block just helps to condition the water and make it better for turtles. i heard you can achieve the same thing with plaster of paris. Hm.

you can get a thing called a turtlebone. a bit more expensive, but i was told they have no backing. I saw one in a store and swear it had a back to it. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

[Chrisbarnett]

I care to agree with you Jess.
I just bought a pack the other day to see what it was all about. They do have a backing, the same exact as a bird cuttlebone. I actually think they are worth the raised price. The bones are huge, and thick. Almost double the thickness of a cheapo bird cuttle. The cuttle itself seems to be very high quality as well and stays bouyant for a long time.