Little stones

cherylahutch · 30-07-2011, 08:04 PM

Our tortoise elvis ate a couple of little stones what do I do? Will they make him I'll? Is this normal behaviour for them. There was plenty around him he could eat but every time he goes out side he tries to eat stones

**Bindi** · 30-07-2011, 08:09 PM

A couple of my torts sometimes do this, hopefully they'll be passed out the other end. Be on the lookout for any signs of straining or discomfort

burnt toast · 30-07-2011, 10:44 PM

Plenty of baths should help too - mine seem to have an obsession with eating stones, mainly when they go into a part of the garden/enclosure they havent been before or for a while. I used to really worry about it but the novelty wears off + they dont seem to have had a problem passing any theyve eaten, hopefully yours will stop it soon too!

cherylahutch · 31-07-2011, 02:00 AM

Thanks for that feel a little better about it now will keep an eye on him and give him a bath each day, he likes those anyway

**Alan1** · 31-07-2011, 08:14 AM

Baths at least once a day help prevent dehydration when they are being kept indoors, outdoors it's not so vital to give them every day as long as they have access to water and know where it is. In very hot weather it's also important to make sure they don't get dehydrated. If you want them to pass a large stone then baths three times a day will help

Eremiel · 31-07-2011, 11:30 AM

Mine eat little stones too. I find that when they "pass them" there is maybe a bit of root, hair or undigestied food. My thought is, they are eatting little stones because they have tummy ache and need to move something along.

Im not putting my word on this but just something i have noitced with my two.

**Alan1** · 31-07-2011, 12:22 PM

Some people say they eat stones because they are needing calcium. I have no idea if that's right or not. My ones are attracted to white stones, they were eating the white roughcast that had come off the wall in a hailstorm

Paige Lewis · 31-07-2011, 12:32 PM

My vet mentioned that it is thought that they may possibly eat stones to aid digestion, although there is no proof of this.

cherylahutch · 31-07-2011, 12:48 PM

Thanks everyone that makes a lot of sense really I suppose when they are in the wild they will probably do this anyway. I did worry that he is still pretty small and would he pass them ok but they are tiny stones he is after. He is going for white ones maybe will put him a cuttle fish in his house I give him the calcium powder every other day on his food so hopefully he is having enough calcium.

kkenny · 01-08-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paige Lewis

My vet mentioned that it is thought that they may possibly eat stones to aid digestion, although there is no proof of this.

Interesting, one mine will chop on bits of congreat that was left by builders if I am not quick enough to whip it away. He does eat cuttle chunks to so just put it down to confusion.

30-07-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	Little stones Our tortoise elvis ate a couple of little stones what do I do? Will they make him I'll? Is this normal behaviour for them. There was plenty around him he could eat but every time he goes out side he tries to eat stones

30-07-2011, 08:09 PM	#2
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	A couple of my torts sometimes do this, hopefully they'll be passed out the other end. Be on the lookout for any signs of straining or discomfort __________________

31-07-2011, 11:30 AM	#6
Eremiel Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 301	Mine eat little stones too. I find that when they "pass them" there is maybe a bit of root, hair or undigestied food. My thought is, they are eatting little stones because they have tummy ache and need to move something along. Im not putting my word on this but just something i have noitced with my two. __________________ 1:1:0 Testudo Agrionemys horsfieldii. 0:1:0 Pain in the bum Cat.

31-07-2011, 12:32 PM	#8
Paige Lewis Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 265	My vet mentioned that it is thought that they may possibly eat stones to aid digestion, although there is no proof of this. __________________ 2 year old testudo hermanni hermanni - Jimmy

30-07-2011, 10:44 PM	#3
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	Plenty of baths should help too - mine seem to have an obsession with eating stones, mainly when they go into a part of the garden/enclosure they havent been before or for a while. I used to really worry about it but the novelty wears off + they dont seem to have had a problem passing any theyve eaten, hopefully yours will stop it soon too!

31-07-2011, 02:00 AM	#4
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	Thanks for that feel a little better about it now will keep an eye on him and give him a bath each day, he likes those anyway

31-07-2011, 08:14 AM	#5
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	Baths at least once a day help prevent dehydration when they are being kept indoors, outdoors it's not so vital to give them every day as long as they have access to water and know where it is. In very hot weather it's also important to make sure they don't get dehydrated. If you want them to pass a large stone then baths three times a day will help

31-07-2011, 12:22 PM	#7
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	Some people say they eat stones because they are needing calcium. I have no idea if that's right or not. My ones are attracted to white stones, they were eating the white roughcast that had come off the wall in a hailstorm

31-07-2011, 12:48 PM	#9
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	Thanks everyone that makes a lot of sense really I suppose when they are in the wild they will probably do this anyway. I did worry that he is still pretty small and would he pass them ok but they are tiny stones he is after. He is going for white ones maybe will put him a cuttle fish in his house I give him the calcium powder every other day on his food so hopefully he is having enough calcium.

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