Urates

[Shirley the tortoise]

Is the stuff on the rock in the foreground urates?

I've tried reading loads of posts and articles before posting and I'm pretty sure it is urates, however given this is the first time I've seen it I wouldn't mind an expert confirming my suspicions. Thanks!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I think it is. I've also never seen it before. (In person)

 

[Shirley the tortoise]

Thanks for the reply. My understanding is that urates are not a problem, but I'm sure someone will correct me if otherwise.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

No. They are normal.
I don't think that it occurs in the type of tortoise that I keep.

 

[Jodie]

Urates are normal and fine as long as not gritty. Should be the consistency of toothpaste. Looks like urates to me.

 

[ascott]

View attachment 122439
Is the stuff on the rock in the foreground urates?

I've tried reading loads of posts and articles before posting and I'm pretty sure it is urates, however given this is the first time I've seen it I wouldn't mind an expert confirming my suspicions. Thanks!

Some species or tortoise are designed to retain every bit of hydration and part of the trade off is to expel the gunk that is a build up of that retention and when the happens you will find the urates.....while they are acceptable, they can eventually be cleared to none or near none ---with proper hydration and a reliable source of water that the tort will eventually learn to rely on...which will result in the tort expelling them on regular basis until he eventually has cleared the system...