Some signs of metabolic bone diseases are soft or bent bones, weakness, tremors, deformed lumps, limping, etc. Providing calcium and vitamin D3, along with a quality UV source, will cure this condition. How To Offer Cuttlebones To Your Tortoises? MBD has a serious effect on tortoises of any age and health condition. For starters, the gravid tortoises may experience egg binding because of this disease. It can even threaten their life.

Yes, even in the middle of a desert you will find plenty of snails, so no matter where the tortoise is from – there is likely to be a very easy to find source of calcium. In fact, snails are such a good source of calcium that tortoises are regularly seen scoffing them down in the wild. During hibernation, it is vital that the ambient temperature not fall below zero. Full-grown specimens may sleep 4–5 months at a time.

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Because of the high percentage of calcium, cuttlebones are a favorite supplement for pets. But yes, you can not feed your tortoises the ocean-retrieved cuttlebones as they may contain germs or bacteria. You have to process them by proper sanitization. Tortoises need calcium because their shell requires high levels of the mineral to grow and remain strong. Calcium is one of the most essential minerals for tortoises it helps them to maintain healthy skeletal growth, to keep their shells hard and intact. Calcium also plays other roles in their overall biological systems such as promoting the development of a healthy nervous system. Cuttlebone is quite tough and rough. The chewing process helps keep the beaks trimmed. Overgrown beaks can be a huge issue and even prevent the tortoise from eating. Interestingly, cuttlebones are so high in calcium that they are even used in commercial calcium supplements for reptiles.

Cuttlefish is a popular choice of food for tortoises due to its high nutritional value. It is rich in protein, which is essential for the growth and development of these reptiles. However, it is important to feed tortoises the appropriate portion size of cuttlefish to ensure they receive the right balance of nutrients without overfeeding them. In this article, we will explore the recommended portion size of cuttlefish for tortoises and provide some useful tips to ensure a balanced diet.They should be provided with a wide range of edible materials and a shallow water dish. They eat for about an hour before returning to the house. Just break a small portion of the cuttlebone and feed your tortoise directly from your hands. Well, there is a risk of getting bitten. But at least you ensure that the pet is not overfeeding or underfeeding on the calcium. Wear latex gloves as protection. 2. Sprinkling: