General Care Discussion :: Help! Turtle Eating Inappropriate Things!

[SpotsMama]

Spot's trying to eat the silicon that seals his aquarium! I can see in at least one place where there is a row of bite marks. I found this out when I heard very loud snapping noises - it was him snapping or pulling on the silicon.

What should I do?????

[adam85491]

Maybe you could get one of those jungle vines and block off the corners with it and suction cup it to the corners so he cannot reach the silicone.

[steve]

Whoa, sounds pretty aggressive. If there is excess silicone, it could be trimmed off. I'd also inspect the area to make sure there are no leaks.

[RunninWideOpen]

Wow, that's no good. None of my tanks have silicone that the turts could get to from the inside?

Does Spot regularly go after the inedible? Crush and Squirt will give something a try, but when they realize it's not food they don't bother it anymore. They're not persistent with it.

[DavidY]

Sounds like he needs a chew toy! Maybe get him one of those rawhide bones for little dogs?

[SpotsMama]

A chew toy is just what he needs! But if I put one in there he'd probably ignore it. He's been so rambuncious lately. It's either because it's spring or it's the new mazuri pellets he got on Scripta's recommendation. He seems to really like me to pick him up and take him outside. That's his favorite thing right now. I guess I'm going to have to hurry up and get his outside pond ready so I can move him out.

Right now I've got him in his big rubber tub with some towels. That's where he'll spend the night. He would not stop chewing on the silicon. I moved all the decorations in the tank over to the side he's interested in to try and block him but still he squeezed in between some plants sideways so he could get to that silicon! I know given any time at all he'd just re-arrange the decorations.

The silicon's really pretty smooth. There aren't bumbs and pieces sticking out. He really has to work to get ahold of it but he's strong as an ox.

I don't know what to do but try to watch him like a hawk and move him outside to the big pond as soon as possible.

[SpotsMama]

Spot's really a pretty aggressive turtle. I've often said I think he's got some snapping turtle blood in him. He started snapping at me a few weeks ago but I made friends with him again by taking him for walks outside. That seems to calm him down some.

[DavidY]

lol! sounds like he's got spring fever. Maybe you could get some heater clips with the big suction cup base, then cut some 1/2" pvc (or 3/4" whatever fits in the clips) and cut them to the height of the tank and stick them in all 4 corners to keep him from getting at the silicone. Kind of like bumper guards on a truck!

[SpotsMama]

Yes, I'll probably try it but he wasn't just going for the corners. He was going at it all around the edges.

He'd better not break that nice tank!

[adam85491]

I usually think of silicone around the corners since that is where it is most visible. I have to say though, this is the first time I have ever heard of something like that.

[DavidY]

Yea, that is pretty wierd. Well, you could build an entire pvc frame to go inside the tank that would cover every seam. Not pretty, but maybe it will get his mind off of it for a while and then you can remove it later and see what he does.

[scripta_elegans]

Will he be outside in the pond soon? Perhaps he'll forget about it over the summer.

[RunninWideOpen]

Its amazing he could even get his mouth that far into the corners. He's full grown isn't he? I think if my turtles started doing that I'd put muzzles on them, lol. I've put too much into both these setups to watch them eat it.

HAHA, i just looked up and Crush was directly behind Squirt, pushing her with her front legs. They swam around the tank like that a couple times like they're playing a game. Crazy creatures.

[DavidY]

[Blue Flamingo]

Is there any algae on the silicone that he could be trying to eat. Mine was snapping at the silicone in the tank but I noticed he was trying to get the algae. Or maybe we both have crazy little turtles.