Eating new substrate

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I bought a big bag of Repti Bark (fir bark) about a month ago from Pet Mountain. I finally opened it up and put a thin layer on top of the soil in the tortoises enclosure. The only problem is, khaleesi keeps trying to eat it. She actually did eat a small piece. Im not sure if i should take it out or not. Input some food in her food dish so she is eating that now. I know substrate eating could mean vitamin deficiency but she didnt eat the soil in her enclosure before. Im thinking its because the bark is something unknown and has a brownish redish color to it.
Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[dmmj]

could be simply curiosity. They try to see if practically everything is edible. Is your tortoise still doing it?

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

could be simply curiosity. They try to see if practically everything is edible. Is your tortoise still doing it?

No. She ate 2 small ones before i put more food in the dish. Shes done eating now. She looked down at the new substrate for a little and now is just basking on top of it.

 

[dmmj]

do you have a red basking light?

 

[Gillian M]

No. She ate 2 small ones before i put more food in the dish. Shes done eating now. She looked down at the new substrate for a little and now is just basking on top of it.

Based on what you said in your second post, I think she is just experimenting it, and will stop eating it. Please keep us updated.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

do you have a red basking light?

Nope

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Based on what you said in your second post, I think she is just experimenting it, and will stop eating it. Please keep us updated.

I hope so. She still looks down at it but hasnt eaten any more yet.
Im still keeping an eye on her.
And him

 

[GingerLove]

My tortoise has eaten dirt and rocks, but shortly after discovering the taste, she decided she didn't like it very much! I think the same will most likely happen with yours.

 

[Gillian M]

I hope so. She still looks down at it but hasnt eaten any more yet.
Im still keeping an eye on her.
And him

That sounds positive, so try not to worry.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi Linhdah.Tell me please how are your torts doing today? Hope thing are better.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Hi Linhdah.Tell me please how are your torts doing today? Hope thing are better.

HI! I'm not sure. i'm at work. But yesterday there was no more bark eating or gazing down at it around bedtime. I put more than enough food in both their dishes this morning so hopefully its all good. Its almost noon here and my boyfriend isnt awake yet to give me an update -_-
Thanks for checking up !

 

[Gillian M]

HI! I'm not sure. i'm at work. But yesterday there was no more bark eating or gazing down at it around bedtime. I put more than enough food in both their dishes this morning so hopefully its all good. Its almost noon here and my boyfriend isnt awake yet to give me an update -_-
Thanks for checking up !

Hope to hear all is well with no more bark eating. Please keep me updated. Good luck!

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Hope to hear all is well with no more bark eating. Please keep me updated. Good luck!

Thank you!