Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hermione, who has lived with me for some ten years, has become enamored of a polished agate about the size of a shooter marble. She picks it up in her mouth (which seems to be a bit of a strain) and carries it around her cage. I thought at first it annoyed her so I hid it, but she sought it out and carried it over to her food dish. She buries it then digs it up, and sometimes forgets about it for extended periods.

I was awakened this morning by the rattle of her attempting to swim out of the back of her tank with it clutched in her jaws. I returned it to land for her and she's now burying it again after she checked many of the other rocks in the area with a nice bite.

Does she think it's a snail? Does she have OCD? It's certainly too large for her to swallow, and I see no wear or tear on her beak. I'll be perfectly delighted to hear that turtles entertain themselves this way, but am concerned that she has gone berserk in some way.

She started this only this past winter, but the rock has been there for years. Her tank is in my bedroom, and I have been out of town more than in because of illness in the family. Could she be LONELY?

Thanks for any light you might shed,

Kim V.

That's one of the strangest stories I've heard! - lol!

Maybe she thinks it's an egg and she's trying to burry it in a nest?

I'm anxious to hear what others have to say about this one!

Best of luck,

Bill Tracy
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My Turtle Stuff
My Box Turtle Site

I've seen aquatics pushing around particular rocks before, but not heard of anything quite so extensive as this. The egg theory is unlikely, since turtles will leave their nests and forget the eggs, even eating any eggs they find, even their own, after the nesting is complete. They would not take an egg and bury it were they to find one.

Perhaps it does see it as food, but it would seem that after repeated failed attempts, it would give up on a food item, plus this item likely has no food smell.

It is quite possible that your turtle is just amusing itself with an object that catches it's attention.

I'd love to see pics of the turtle in action carrying around it's "toy".