Baby Russian tortoise has white poo!

[SouthPaw]

This is day 2 with our new baby. I took him out of his tank this morning, and gave him a bath while I tidied up his substrate and freshened his water. When I looked in on him a minute later he had pooed and it was white! Just like toothpaste. Yesterday after he arrived and I gave him a soak he had pooed a normal brownish black. Does anybody know why this could be?

 

[ManAlive85]

This is day 2 with our new baby. I took him out of his tank this morning, and gave him a bath while I tidied up his substrate and freshened his water. When I looked in on him a minute later he had pooed and it was white! Just like toothpaste. Yesterday after he arrived and I gave him a soak he had pooed a normal brownish black. Does anybody know why this could be?

Hi Mary,

I’m 99% sure this isn’t poop, it’s urates. From what I understand it’s kind of concentrated pee but I’m sure someone else can give you a more scientific explanation.

It’s normal so don’t worry. As long as it’s toothpaste consistency and not too gritty or grainy you should have no cause for concern.

I find keeping them well hydrated minimises or pretty much eliminates urates expulsion so you may find that you don’t see it so much once you settle into a routine of long daily soaks. It’s perfectly natural though and nothing to worry about.

 

[JoesMum]

This is urates. It’s perfectly normal and is the way a tortoise gets rid of excess proteins in the diet.

They should be smooth and bit mucussy. Gritty urates indicate dehydration

 

[SouthPaw]

Hi Mary,

I’m 99% sure this isn’t poop, it’s urates. From what I understand it’s kind of concentrated pee but I’m sure someone else can give you a more scientific explanation.

It’s normal so don’t worry. As long as it’s toothpaste consistency and not too gritty or grainy you should have no cause for concern.

I find keeping them well hydrated minimises or pretty much eliminates urates expulsion so you may find that you don’t see it so much once you settle into a routine of long daily soaks. It’s perfectly natural though and nothing to worry about.

Thank you sooo much, I really appreciate your help! I feel so much better knowing it's normal

 

[SouthPaw]

This is urates. It’s perfectly normal and is the way a tortoise gets rid of excess proteins in the diet.

They should be smooth and bit mucussy. Gritty urates indicate dehydration

It was kinda mucussy, not gritty at all. Thank you!