Make Your Turtle Poop: A Step-By-Step Guide

A turtle's poop can say a lot about its health. The frequency, colour, texture, and consistency of a turtle's poop can indicate dietary imbalances, diseases, or parasitic infections. Baby turtles typically poop every day, while adult turtles defecate every three to four days. A healthy turtle's poop should be solid and dark brown, greenish brown, or white. On the other hand, unhealthy poop may appear runny, have a foul smell, or contain blood. By understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy poop, owners can identify potential health issues early on and ensure their pet's overall health and wellbeing.

What does healthy turtle poop look like?

While it may not be the most pleasant topic, keeping an eye on your pet turtle's bowel movements is a great way to monitor its health and wellbeing. A reptile's poop is an incredibly useful insight into what's happening in its body. It can tell you a lot about how balanced their diet is and whether they are suffering from any health issues.

Healthy turtle poop is generally excreted in pellet form or in a log shape, similar to healthy human excrement. The size of the fecal matter will depend on the size of the turtle, but the amount will depend on various additional factors, including how much the turtle has eaten. The poop might be of slightly varying consistencies (dry or tacky) and colours (brown or greenish). However, if it is healthy, it should be some shade of brown and be fairly solid.

It's important to note that the shape, consistency, and colour of the poop are determined by numerous factors, including diet. For example, a turtle that eats a lot of grass and hay may have poop that is fibrous and still has some pieces of husk in it. In contrast, the poop of smaller turtle species is often darker and less solid.

White urates in the stool are normal for tortoises and terrestrial turtles. The white component in chelonian faeces is uric acid, which is found in the urine of reptiles. Aquatic turtles produce much less uric acid and generally lack the white urates, as producing uric acid is an adaptation to drier environments—not usually a problem for aquatic animals.

In summary, by observing the colour, consistency, and shape of your turtle's poop, you can gain valuable insights into its health and wellbeing.

What does unhealthy turtle poop look like?

Unhealthy turtle poop can vary in appearance, depending on the specific health issue affecting the turtle. Here are some signs that your turtle's poop may be unhealthy:

Abnormal Colour

A change in the colour of your turtle's poop can indicate digestive issues, internal bleeding, or the presence of parasites. If the poop is unusually light or dark, or includes streaks of blood, this may be a cause for concern.

Unusual Texture

Feces that are overly watery, mucous-like, or have a very foul odour can be signs of digestive problems, bacterial infections, or parasites.

Changes in Frequency

A sudden increase or decrease in the frequency of bowel movements may suggest gastrointestinal issues, dietary changes, or stress. If your turtle is not defecating regularly, it could be a sign of constipation or other health issues.

Straining

If your turtle appears to be straining or having difficulty passing stool, it could indicate constipation, intestinal blockage, or other digestive issues.

Undigested Food

The presence of large chunks of undigested food in the feces may suggest that the turtle is not properly digesting its food, which could be due to an inadequate diet, improper care, or underlying health problems.

Abnormal Shape or Consistency

Poop that is consistently too firm or too loose, or has an irregular shape, can be indicative of digestive problems, dehydration, or dietary imbalances.

Accompanying Symptoms

Unhealthy poop may be accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, shell abnormalities, or changes in behaviour.

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to consult a veterinarian experienced in reptile care. They can perform a thorough examination and suggest suitable treatment to address any underlying issues. Early detection and intervention are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of your turtle.

How often should turtles poop?

Turtles don't relieve themselves as regularly as other pets, and their bowel movements depend on several factors, including species, age, diet, and health. Baby turtles and tortoises defecate more frequently than adults, usually every day. It is unusual for a hatchling to go more than a day without pooping.

Turtles and tortoises over 4 inches (10 cm) in shell length will typically defecate every three to four days. If they go less frequently, such as once a week, or every day, it could indicate a health problem.

Tortoises, specifically, will poop, on average, every two to three days. This can vary depending on their diet, age, weight, and general health.

It is important to monitor your turtle's bowel habits over time and take note of any abrupt changes, as this could indicate a health issue.

Where do turtles poop?

Turtles can poop in a variety of places, and this often depends on the type of turtle. Aquatic turtles, for example, tend to defecate in their water tanks or natural bodies of water, while terrestrial turtles may poop on land, in a tank, or even in a water bowl. Some turtles may also eat their poop, which is normal behaviour.

Baby turtles and turtles of any age that are under 4 inches (10 cm) in shell length tend to defecate more frequently, usually every day. Larger turtles will poop less often, typically every 3 to 4 days. So, depending on the size and type of turtle, you may find their poop in different locations.

The consistency and appearance of turtle poop can vary but are generally reliable indicators of their health and wellbeing. Aquatic turtle poop is typically brown to greenish-brown, while terrestrial turtles may have a white component in their faeces due to the presence of uric acid. The shape of the faeces also differs, with aquatic turtle faeces often resembling oval, brown pellets that hold their shape in the water.

In terms of specific locations, some turtles may poop in their water tanks, whether they are aquatic or terrestrial turtles. This can be a convenient place for them to defecate, especially if they spend a significant amount of time in the tank. Additionally, some turtles may have a favourite spot in their habitat where they prefer to poop, such as a specific rock, plant, or hiding spot.

It's important to keep an eye on a turtle's bowel movements, as changes in their poop can indicate potential health issues. For example, a lack of poop for several days in babies or over a week in adults can be a cause for concern. Additionally, frequent poop with a high amount of white urate, or white, string-like spaghetti in the poop, can indicate an excessive protein diet or intestinal parasites.

Why do turtles eat their poop?

Turtles have been observed eating their poop, especially in captive environments like a tank. This behaviour is linked to their natural foraging instincts, and their attraction to smelly things. When kept in a tank, turtles may eat their poop simply because it is something to eat.

Turtles also eat their poop to obtain nutrients that they may have missed during the first digestion process. This is similar to the behaviour of rabbits, which also eat their own droppings to extract extra nutrients.

It is important to note that while eating their poop is common among turtles, it can also indicate an underlying issue. For example, it could suggest that the turtle is not getting enough nutrients from its regular diet, or that it is not getting enough food in general.

If you notice your turtle eating its poop, it is recommended to take steps to prevent this behaviour. One way to do this is by using a waste degrader in the tank to quickly break down and remove waste. Additionally, ensuring your turtle is well-fed and receiving adequate nutrition can help reduce the likelihood of this behaviour.

By monitoring the diet and behaviour of your pet turtle, you can help maintain its health and wellbeing, and reduce instances of coprophagia (eating faeces).

Frequently asked questions