Since we have had our RES it is a rarity that he will actually poop in his feeding container. The water is always warm to encourage "bodily functions" when he eats. However, he seems to be stubborn and prefer pooping in the comforts of his home. As nice as it would be for cleaning purposes to have him go in the container, I can live with that. He has though recently gone in the feeding tank a few different times, at which I discovered that he is an "eater" if you know what I mean. This makes me bring up some questions:
Herp keepers, in our desire to keep the tanks clean, often scoop the poop, trying to get it out before the turtle has the chance to eat it which is considerably messy. However, if it is natural for them to eat it in an effort to absorb as much nutrients as possible, are we in some way doing them a disservice by not letting them reabsorb? Do you think it makes a difference nutritionally? Especially since it tends to pass through them so fast initially? Even though my turtle eats his veggies daily, is it possibly for him to get even more out of eat meal because he gets that "second time around?"
