Feeding and Nutrition :: Turtle chewing on oyster shell?

[biomanz]

Is that OK? It's an old, worn, white oyster shell. Does it have any calcium or nutritional value? I meant to get some cuttlebone today but the store was closed.

[grey goose]

I don't think it's a good idea....shells are too brittle and can cause impaction or other problems. It sounds like you turt is craving calcium (I've heard of turtles eating their basking dock). I'd get rid of it and give him some bite sized pieces of cuttlebone (with the hard backing removed, of course).

[marisa]

If you look at some calcium supplements, they are made of out of oyster shell. That said, I agree that your turtle is probably looking for calcium, but I'd take out the shell on the chance that it might break or splinter and at the very least cut his mouth. Get the cuttlebone when you can. You might throw in a a little more of his veggies if he wants to chomp on something. If you can get them, dandelions would be good (very good calcium/phosphorus ratio).