Natural Cuttlefish Bone for Reptiles, Tortoises, Snails, Birds and Small Animals, 4-6 inch, Twin Pack

Product Information

Cuttlefish is a marine mollusk, small in size, and looks similar to a squid. But these fishes are not directly fed to the reptiles, birds, and other pets. Instead, the internal structure of these fishes, aka the cuttlebone, is useful. So, it should, by now, be fairly obvious that tortoises need some sort of additional source of calcium in their diets. Fortunately, there is a wide-range of both powders and supplements out there that you can give your tortoise.

It should be ground to a powder (and ideally, it will be supplied that way) and then lightly dusted over the tortoise’s food. Don’t go mad with this, the taste is, apparently, quite bitter for tortoises and they won’t eat it if you put too much on. Adult sexually active tortoises require a calcium and mineral supplement two to three times per week, with calcium supplementation on the remaining days. In terms of the nutritional benefits, cuttlefish can be a valuable addition to a tortoise's diet. It is rich in protein, calcium, and other minerals that are essential for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones and shells. However, it should not be the sole source of these nutrients and should be balanced with a variety of other foods, such as leafy greens, vegetables, and commercially available tortoise pellets. Cut the cuttlefish into small, bite-sized pieces that are appropriate for your tortoise's size. It is important not to feed them large chunks as they may have difficulty swallowing or digesting it. A wild tortoise clearly does not need calcium supplements because if they did, there wouldn’t be any wild tortoises. They get their calcium from their diet and they do it by consuming vegetation which is rich in the mineral.Forums and groups can be helpful and have some great information and ideas, but they can also be a very negative place too so just be aware, don't believe everything you read! A heat lamp is secured at one end of the enclosure along with a UV Tube or Compact UV with a minimum of 5% UVB output. The bulbs are turned on in the morning and off in the evening. The Tortoise should also regularly be put into sunlight in the summer outdoors to provide it with necessary ultraviolet radiation, placing a tortoise on a window sill in winter will not provide the required level of UV, as glass will filter out UV.

The plants get their calcium from calcium rich soil. So, you will find that most tortoise habitats in nature are on or near calcium rich soil. Ideally, tortoises should be fed cuttlefish once every 2-3 weeks. This frequency allows them to benefit from the high calcium content of the cuttlefish while still maintaining a varied diet. Overfeeding cuttlefish can lead to an imbalance in the tortoise's diet, as it is relatively low in other essential nutrients. Therefore, it is best to provide cuttlefish as a supplemental treat rather than a primary source of nutrition. Be sure to throw out your cuttlebone when it becomes significantly discolored or dirty. Take Home Points Mix the cuttlefish with your tortoise's regular food. This can include various leafy greens, vegetables, or commercial tortoise pellets. The cuttlefish can be offered as a treat or as a supplement to their regular diet. We also sell broken cuttlefish pieces. This is the same product as the whole cuttlefish, but broken into smaller, more manageable pieces. Excellent value for money and your tortoise won’t know the difference!

Food Items As A Guide

However, it’s worth noting that not all these supplements are created equal and some of them can be problematic too. The reason for putting the heat lamp at one end of the enclosure and not in the middle is for the Tortoise to self regulate its temperature. Wild tortoises wear down their beaks and claws with use. Captive tortoises however tend to have overgrown beaks and claws. Providing the turtle with a cuttlebone is one way to help wear down the beaks. Additionally, cuttlefish is a good source of calcium. Calcium is crucial for the healthy development of a tortoise's shell and bones. It helps to maintain the structural integrity of their bodies and prevents issues like shell deformities. Tortoises require a consistent supply of calcium in their diet, and cuttlefish provides an excellent natural source of this essential mineral.