Tort poop questions

[fgately]

Ok, odd question of the day.

Every dog I have ever observed around torts, loves to eat their poop. Is this safe for the dogs? This is a serious question by the way. We are going to get two border terriers in a couple of months, and this is a concern.

Also, will the torts eat the dog poop? If yes, is this safe for the torts?

mmmm..... poooooo.....

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Torts and box turtles do eat mammal poop in the wild. In the case of box turtles, they actually tear apart the dung of bison and cattle to get at the maggots inside (yum). In the case of tortoises, they actually eat the poop itself. Not clear why, probably just to get the undigested nutrients. It's not really safe, though; they can contract parasites that way.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

We pick up all poop, both dog and tortoise on a very regular schedule to avoid any issues. Our dogs will roll in tortoise poop and eat it. Our tortoises do not show any interest in dog poop.
I am sure parasites, etc. can transfer within the poop exchange, yuck!

Great question fgatley.

 

[Yvonne G]

Not only what has been mentioned above, but some dog de-wormers can be toxic to tortoises (not making them sick, but making them dead)