Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone told me egg shells are a good source of calcium for tortoises (once they're cleaned for sanitation). In theory it would make sense to me. If you've kept sulcattas you know they're attracted to eating bright colors so egg shells really get their attention.

I was just wondering if anyone else ever heard of feeding egg shells to tortoises for the calcium value.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
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This is off track, BUT I'VE FED EGGSHELLS TO RES'S AND YB'S AND THEY SEEM TO LOVE THEM!! They munch them down quickly.

I think it's a good idea. They must need the calcium, and I don't think it causes any intestinal problems. Plus, it's cheaper than that petstore food.

My sulcata won't touch egg shells but I've heard from a lot of sulcata keepers that their pets will go for cuttlebone,you know the cuttlebone packaged for pet birds. If the egg shells don't work out there's another option.

PHRatz

Do you just rinse and toss the shell in the tank or crush it or boil it? I've tried cuttlebone with my painted and she will nibble it occasionally I think most of it disolves in the water. I wonder if she and my boxie would like them

Do you just rinse and toss the shell in the tank or crush it or boil it?

I only give my turtles shells from hard boiled eggs. I know I could probably "clean" other egg shells but for all the trouble I'd rather just give them vitamin suppliments.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Of course rinse them, but I wouldn't worry too much about any germs. Even some humans(athletes,) eat eggshells.

I sometimes place them in the tank in halves after I crack eggs for breakfast. But usually I just put in one half. This way they can nibble at it and you'll be able to see if they're eating or not. Otherwise, break the shells into smaller quarters.

Some turtles really go for this, although they may have to be a little older.

"Of course rinse them, but I wouldn't worry too much about any germs. Even some humans(athletes,) eat eggshells. "

I think raw eggs are among the top three sources of food-borne salmonellosis.
So use eggshells form boiled eggs only.
it may be a good idea to crack the egg as much as possile so it is more flexible and les slikely to cause digestive tract problems.

Many turtles will also take calcium tablets (Calcium carbonate, citrate etc)which is marketedfor human consumption, in lieu of or in addiiton to, cuttlebone and eggshells.

My water turtles LOVE those weekend fish feeder thingies. You know, those huge tablets w/ fish food mixed in that slowly dissolve. The white stuff that dissolves is calcium!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
0.0.12 chickens
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband

Food consumed and salmonella tainted will not harm a water turtle. They all ready have the inbuilt bio-organisms to resist this disease. The hatchlings that do contain it are less apt to eat eggshells anyway, and usually spread salmonella via the skin, which is why humans are at danger. A turtle dying from salmonella, or contracting it as an illness, is seldom heard of in my book. This is why turtles can eat raw meat(albeit not pork or chicken)/fish/shrimp/muscles, etc.

Rinsing it off is like rinsing chicken. In reality, if what was said here is true we'd all be in great danger of making a few eggs on the sunny side in the morning. Harboiled is good but will dissolve the calcium content.

I've never had a problem with it. But like I said, older turtles munch it down. Their bodies can pretty much handle it, and this dispute is like those who claim not to feed turtles any raw meat, but others who do, like myself. I had a turtle for five years once and never had any problems.