Feeding and Nutrition :: Peeling backing off cuttlebone?

[sai_dee]

Is there an easier way? My nails are getting destroyed before the backing comes off!

[N4784N R4613]

You could use a knife. Of course, any time I use a sharp one, I end up with bloody cuttlebone.

[kgielda]

I just use a knife and cut a little then snap it off (with the knife). I end up wasting quite a bit, but they're only a buck... so whatever. I went and bought the "Turtle Bone" thinking they wouldn't have the backing, but it did.

[sai_dee]

Yeah I got the turtle bone and well......same thing lol. I'll try the knife, probably waste a large amount.

[marisa]

I use a very sharp paring knife. I break the cuttlebone into 2 or 3 pieces, then holding each piece with the backing up, I push the point of the knife under the backing and twist and lift it. It usually just pops off, sometimes in larger rather than smaller pieces. It can make a mess, though (doing it on newspaper can help contain the mess).

[emma]

I just use something that is sharp and cut the bone in to some small pieces for my turts. Kinda makes a mess though. I have tried getting the backing of by peeling it too, but it also breaks my nails.

[Tenodera]

I do it the same way marisa does it.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Sharp knife is the only way to peel cuttle without completely destroying your hands.

[FLhaven4strays]

I break the bone in smaller pieces (4-5 usually) & use a knife to just cut away the side just under the backing. The knife cuts the cuttle just fine when you're not trying to cut / peel the backing. Yes, it wastes a fair amount of edible bone, but it's quicker & cheap enough I don't care.

My guys don't seem to eat it anyway. But it's always there in case...

[Amg81083]

I just had my first experience pulling the backing off the cuttlebone! Eekk! Luckily I have a very sharp tiny knife. I put in 3 hunks (cause I have 3 turts) Is there any chance of them getting too much cuttlebone?? or is it ok that its there every day and they devour it?

[scripta_elegans]

it is highly unlikely that a turtle could overdose on pure calcium carbonate like cuttlebone. If it were a calcium supplement with D3, then you would need to be very careful, as it could cause mineralization of soft tissues. Without the D3, turtles can't metabolize calcium, and it just passes on through. Kind of the same in humans. If they have a UVB light, that allows them to produce D3 naturally, it is very unlikely they will OD on calcium.