Scollins17
New Member
Hi I have a marginated tortoise about 3 years old and looks large enough to be moved outside. Spent a couple weeks making a good outdoor enclosure.
Every time I move him outside, first thing he does is sit there and eat rocks until I put him back inside. First time was 2 mos ago and the couple rocks he ate didn't seem to bother him. Been acting, eating and defacting normally since. Tried again today and first thing he did was eat 2 rocks. Put him back inside.
Since then started giving him more calcium, about a week ago put a cuttlebone in his indoor enclosure. He eats the calcium on the food and munches on his cuttlebone. Tried putting outside again and he went straight back to eating rocks. Not sure what to do about this. Can't "remove all the rocks" since I live in a desert and our dirt is full of them, no matter how far you dig.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated. You guys are awesome here and I would really appreciate the help.
Every time I move him outside, first thing he does is sit there and eat rocks until I put him back inside. First time was 2 mos ago and the couple rocks he ate didn't seem to bother him. Been acting, eating and defacting normally since. Tried again today and first thing he did was eat 2 rocks. Put him back inside.
Since then started giving him more calcium, about a week ago put a cuttlebone in his indoor enclosure. He eats the calcium on the food and munches on his cuttlebone. Tried putting outside again and he went straight back to eating rocks. Not sure what to do about this. Can't "remove all the rocks" since I live in a desert and our dirt is full of them, no matter how far you dig.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated. You guys are awesome here and I would really appreciate the help.