Cuttlefish

[TortoiseMan]

Hello ppl!

Im fairly new to tortoises - and I am want to know if I should use cuttlefish? He isn't pyramiding and no cracks are forming on his shell so he's healthy...currently...

Thanks in advance
TM

 

[Yvonne G]

If your tortoise is getting plenty of calcium through his food...that is, eating calcium-rich foods, then cuttle bone isn't necessary. Its just another way to get calcium into a tortoise. Cuttle bone, calcium supplement powders, calcium-rich foods. Any way you slice it!

 

[DeanS]

...it's also a great way to keep his beak trim...of course, fedding on a hard surface will do the same thing!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I think you should put a cuttle bone in every enclosure. He can sharpen his beak if nothing else...

 

[Madkins007]

Some tortoises really like it, some ignore it. It is useful to help control the beak growth, and can contribute some additional calcium.

Cuttlebone should not be your main calcium plan, though. Because the chunks are rather large when they are bitten off, they do not get absorbed into the bloodstream as easily as fine powder does- and even powder is not absorbed all that easily.

Also do not forget that calcium is only one part of the formula for healthy bones and shells- adequate calcium, an overall ratio of about 1.5:1 calcium to phosphorous, vitamin D (usually from unfiltered sunlight or proper UVB lighting), magnesium, iron, other minerals and vitamins, water, heat, exercise, and rest.

 

[TortoiseMan]

Ok cheers, people for this - greatly appreciated.

TM

 

[TortoiseMan]

Ok people - got two options got cuttlefish or a powder is use for my bearded dragon that it says can be used for tortoises (Nutrobal) which is a calcium balancer and multivitamin supplement.

His current diet is plantain, violets, hebe, forget-me-nots, rose petals, cucmber (weekly), dandelions etc....

Which one can i use?

Cheers,
TM

 

[greekmark1234]

skin color at will. Cuttlefish change color and light polarity to communicate to other cuttlefish and to camouflage themselves from predators.

This color-changing function is produced by groups of red, yellow, brown, and black pigmented chromatophores above a layer of reflective iridophores and leucophores, with up to 200 of these specialized pigment cells per square millimeter, which corresponds to about 359 DPI. The pigmented chromatophores have a sac of pigment and a large membrane that is folded when retracted. There are 6-20 small muscle cells on the sides which can contract to squash the elastic sac into a disc against the skin. Yellow chromatophores (xanthophores) are closest to the surface of the skin, red and orange are below (erythrophores), and brown or black are just above the iridophore layer (melanophores). The iridophores reflect blue and green light. Iridophores are plates of chitin or protein, which can reflect the environment around a cuttlefish. They are responsible for the metallic blues, greens, golds, and silvers often seen on cuttlefish. All of these cells can be used in combinations. For example, orange is produced by red and yellow chromatophores, while purple can be created by a red chromatophore and an iridophore. The cuttlefish can also use an iridophore and a yellow chromatophore to produce a brighter green. As well as being able to influence the color of light as it reflects off their skin, cuttlefish can also affect the light's polarization, which can be used to signal to other marine animals, many of which can also sense polarization.[5]

 

[tortoises101]

Cuttlebone is good for extra calcium and to keep the beaks trim. It's also funny to see the torts romping around with their faces and mouths full of white powder from the cuttlebone.