Feeding and Nutrition

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:57 am **Pebbles??? (pictures added)**

Ok I put some white peoples in my tank mixed with big rocks. Well as soon as I put them in there my turtles started eating them. I was wondering could that hurt them. They do poop them back out. Oh and that isn't a pretty sight lol. Anyways I was just wondering if that is bad for them. I feed them but for some reason they keep eating the pebbles. :?:

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:59 am

they thought that it's food, if it's small enough to be swallowed by them, get them out now. you wouldn't want them to choke on them.

how big are your RES anyway?

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:28 pm

Yes you really wanna remove them asap. They could get stuck inside there body somewhere and cause a blockage which would lead to the turtles death

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:28 pm

They eat and poop out pebbles every day. So I don't think its hurting them. They are pretty big. Ill post pictures soon.

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:07 pm

Eating and pooing pebbles is bad! Just because they can pass them now doesn't mean they can always pass them. All it takes is one pebble to get turned the wrong direction, and it causes a blockage in the intestine. Food and waste build up to the point that there will be an internal rupture, and that will lead to bleeding out and turtle death. Surgery to save turtles is expensive and done only in rare occasions by trained vets. And it's not so much one pebble, but what if they eat 2, 3, 12? We have a sticky (http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12532) that shows that months after the gravel was removed, the turtle was continuing to pass gravel. That's how serious this matter is.

You can use sand as an alternative, though if your turtles are eager to eat the pebbles, it may be best to just leave the bottom bare or put in VERY LARGE river rocks. Sand can also cause blockage if enough is consumed.

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:08 pm

RedSliderLove wrote:They eat and poop out pebbles every day. So I don't think its hurting them. They are pretty big. Ill post pictures soon.

Is it worth the chance of them dying? Maybe not today or tomorrow but down the road that one piece of gravel will get stuck.

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:14 pm

I don't want anything to happen to them. People keep telling me that it's ok. I'm worried about their health. I WILL get rid of the pebbles. Thanks for the information.

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:50 pm

we are all turtle lover's here, and we'll advise where we can to save another turtle... it is a LIFE after all...

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:53 pm

You can get big sea shells. Some river rocks come in pretty colors. You can get large glass stones too. My turtles enjoy all these things.

Rocks trap dirt though, so, unless you want to do what I do and fish around in the tank for several hours to get up all the food and poop particles, you may want to go bare bottom.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:28 am

Thanks.
I'm going to go all out for them lol.

Feeding and Nutrition :: Pebbles??? (pictures added)

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