Feeding and Nutrition :: How often should they poo?

[artichoke]

Got a RES 2 days ago.
It is an eating, and begging, machine.

It has had many pellets, some banana, and some cooked chicken.

Water is 75-78, basking area is 95-98.

We haven't seen any evidence of pooping yet. How often should we expect this?

Thanks!

[blackforces get you]

do you use waste degrader or anything like that to get rid of it?

[artichoke]

Nope.

Just a glass bottemed tank right now, so it will be really evident when it happens.

[EmperorTunaFish]

Many turtles eat their poop. Your turt may be doing its part in keeping the tank clean.

[artichoke]

Aha!
I didn't consider that.

So, as long as it's active, basking, clear eyed, and HUNGRY, we're ok.

[marisa]

They poo if they're eating, and yours is definitely doing that. It does sound like he's supplementing his diet with his poo.

[artichoke]

They poo if they're eating, and yours is definitely doing that. It does sound like he's supplementing his diet with his poo.

Well, my concern was any sort of blockage. Although, if he's revenous, I'm assuming that means he's not "full".

[megcornell]

Turtles would eat pellets until they exploded if we let them. They're not very good at "planning" their meals
So, they'll always gladly beg for more pellets.

But, you're right to assume that so long as he's eating well he's likely passing stool- it's just not around long enough for you to see it.

As far as how to tell that they're eating enough- most people agree that a headful of pellets everyday for hatchlings is perfect. You can supplement the pellets with vegetables. Adult turtles get a headful every other day, which works fine as they're less carnivorous and are growing slower.

[bradmeisel]

It sounds like your turtle is a poo eating machine like my two. The frozen jello shot comes out almost looking like it did when it went in (not really but it still had some red pellet powder I sprinkle on the jello.) They don't absorb all the nutrients the first time through so they get another shot.

Turtles will eat themselves sick. One of the hardest part of taking care of turtles is not giving in to their adorable begging. Good Luck with your baby.

Be prepared to spend some time and money on him.

[lunabebe4]

My turtle doesn't eat her poo, but the guppy and goldfish she has yet to ever catch eat it. The gold fish is like 2 inches big now, and the guppy is just to fast for her so she gets lazy haha. Its nice though, the only thing is I have 2 plectos and they are pooping machines! I clean the tank and 2 min later the floor is spinkled with their poo again, now i just need something to eat that poo haha!

[theartbook35]

Turtles would eat pellets until they exploded if we let them. They're not very good at "planning" their meals
So, they'll always gladly beg for more pellets.

That's why I love nature. The only thing stopping them from eating themselves to death is not being able to always find food.

Anyways, onto different matters. They don't have a set pattern to their bowl movements, nobody does, but I would expect them to defecate every time they eat vegetable matter. That's what mine do.

I noticed some feeding schedule advice throughout here. I'm gonna join in.

If your turtle is younger than six months, you (not you personality, I simply mean anybody) should be giving it more proteins and staple pellets containing calcium until they reach six months of age. This keeps a balance between both protein and calcium, and for a growing baby gives them plenty of opportunities to develop bone, shell and muscle.

If a turtle is over six months old, cut back on protein and it should be offer at first two times a week, then cut back again and they get it once a week. Turtles that mature will prefer vegetables over proteins, but the thing is, cutting back on protein to much to dodge pyramiding gets you a turtle with too much calcium and a protein deficiency. I've heard some people say to give turtle's protein once a month and give turtles extra calcium. If you provide your turtle with such an overdose and lack of nutrients, you might as well blow up the universe and get it over with.

[Applescruff]

Am I glad I read checked here! I was panicking because my turtle eats her food but I never see evidence of poo. Her eating it never occurred to me.