kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
International Reptile Conservation Foundation  
click here for Rodent Pro
Mice, Rats, Rabbits, Chicks, Quail
Available Now at RodentPro.com!
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Happy Rattlesnake Friday! . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Milk Snake . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - July 05, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - July 13, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - July 15, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 19, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - July 20, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - July 25, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Suncoast Herp Society Meeting - July 26, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - July 26, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - July 28, 2025 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Aug 02, 2025 . . . . . . . . . . 

Re: playful nips or a real problem?


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Box Turtle Forum ]

Posted by PHBoxTurtle on April 10, 2003 at 19:17:38:

In Reply to: playful nips or a real problem? posted by JFeul on April 10, 2003 at 11:25:07:

Wild box turtles will eat a pieces of gravel from time to time and it causes little problem because they get plenty of exercise and the gravel passes through, but with our tank bound turtles the gravel may accumulate in the intestines and could impact the turtle. If it was me I would not use gravel that the turtle seem to have a fondness for. Use larger, smooth river rock instead. BTW, your turtle may be trying to tell you something. Make sure his diet is high in calcium and trace minerals. Tess

:My setup for my new baby eastern is about 2/3 soil and 1/3 gravel. I figured this would add some variety of surface and that the rocks would retain heat when the basking light must be shut off. Also, the gravel surrounds the water dish, which has helped in keeping gobs of muddy dirt out of it.

:This seemed to be a good idea until I noticed that little Huck would, during and after feeding, try to eat the gravel! He's probably worked up with all the tastes and smells and just goes after anything near him. Obviously, it doesn't taste quite right, and he doesn't really eat them--I'm not sure he even could, due to size--but I'm concerned that this is not healthy for his beak. Am I overreacting? Has anyone had any similar experiences? Any advice on this would be helpful.





Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Box Turtle Forum ]