Yes! All turtles eat their own to recycle the unprocessed nutrients.
Pretty nasty, eh? But this act is entirely normal in the tortoise world. They enjoy eating their flaky poo since it is vegetable matter that is not ingested as well and they’d do it over and over again until there is no more nutrient in there.
Besides, if they don’t eat poo, that would just mean that it disintegrates and they are swimming in it, getting it all over their little shells and bodies.
How To Stop Turtles Eating Their Own Poop?
Put some goldfish (feeders) in their tank with the turtles and they will take care of the feces problem.
The fish eat the feces, while the turtle feeds on the fish. It’s a nice little eco-system in there.
Is It Ok For Turtles To Eat Their Own Poop?
Yup! In fact, turtles mainly eat their poop to gain healthy bacteria from the poop. Plus, by feeding on their own poop, red-eared sliders are able to ingest some of the nutrients they failed to ingest the first time.
So, it is okay for turtles to eat their own poop. In fact, they will smell the poop to really confirm its theirs before eating.
ALSO SEE: At What Age do Red Eared Sliders Lay Eggs?
Is It Normal for A Turtle to Eat Their Own Poop?
All turtles eat their own poop. This is normal behavior.
Red-eared sliders are notorious for eating their own poop, especially the feces of other elder turtles to ingest healthy bacteria from the poop.
This practice is called coprography, and it is done by mostly young red eared sliders. You see, older turtles have symbiotic bacteria that the younger ones need to survive in the wilderness.
Another reason red eared sliders sometimes do this is to digest some of the nutrients that they failed to ingest during the first time. So, they will digest their feces once or twice so that they can feed on every nutrient from it.
This practice happens commonly in the animal kingdom.
Why Is My Turtle Eating His Own Poop?
Your turtle eating his own poop could also mean they’re not getting enough healthy food to eat. So, you should revise your turtle’s diet and consider increasing it with recommended foods.
Addition of some green veggies to your turtle’s diet, along with small bits of cooked protein such as chicken or fish is great too.
Another means of keeping him from eating his poop is to make sure your turtle’s habitat is kept clean. So, remember to clean up the poop once or twice a day.
The primary thing to remember is to provide your turtle with lots of nutritious meals to eat. Then keep his habitat clean, especially the water.
Lastly, understand that poo-eating is a normal behavior in turtle kingdom.
What Happens If My Turtle Eats His Poop?
Nothing bad happens. In fact, the turtle enjoys plenty of nutrients left in there which were not completely absorbed or digested.
It’s gross but very normal. They actually seem to prefer feces over pelleys! lol!
The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites…
Do Turtles Eat Dog Poop?
Turtles can and will eat dog food if it smells like food to them. They like to recycle their food! OK – not funny, but it’s true.
Turtles will do this to keep from missing those important nutrients that are in their poop. The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites.
Do Box Turtles Eat Dog Poop?
Box Turtles can and will eat dog food if it smells like food to them. They like to recycle their food! OK – not funny, but it’s true.
Turtles will do this to keep from missing those important nutrients that are in their poop. The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites.
How Much Do Turtles Poop?
Not so much, in my experience.
Why Does My Turtle Eat Dog Poop?
Turtles can and will eat dog food if it smells like food to them. They like to recycle their food! OK – not funny, but it’s true.
Turtles will do this to keep from missing those important nutrients that are in their poop. The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites.
Is Turtle Poop Bad For Dogs?
Turtles can and will eat dog food if it smells like food. They like to recycle their food! OK – not funny, but it’s true.
Turtles will do this to keep from missing those important nutrients that are in their poop. The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites.
Can Tortoises Eat Dog Poop?
Tortoises can and will eat dog food if it smells like food to them. They like to recycle their food! OK – not funny, but it’s true.
Turtles will do this to keep from missing those important nutrients that are in their poop. The only danger is if the feces contain worms and parasites.