Urates

[Hai]

I know it's normal for them when they pee but to have this much seems like alot for how big he is.

 

[nicoleann2214]

@Tom

 

[Markw84]

Urates are a function of what you are feeding. It is a metabolic byproduct of metabolizing foods. In particular protein items. Some tortoises seem to expel the uric acid frequently in the water they release, keeping the concentrations of uric acid quite low. Some seem to hold their water more and not "pee" as much. This is a normal response, but most are triggered to release water when they find more, fresh water in front of them (like in the bath). The ones that tend to hold it longer will then have the uric acid precipitate into urates, which is then expelled the next time they release water, or even with their stool as the urates in your picture. It also is affected by the temperatures the tortoise is able to maintain. Uric acid and urate precipitate very readily as it is not very soluable. The precipitation (forming a more solid mass) is very much affected by temperature and will precipitate much more at temperatures below 80° than temperature above. So tortoises that cool more and are not kept constantly above 80° will often tend to release more of the pasty urates.

So the key factors:

Diet = more protein - more urates
Hydration = the more access to fresh water and the more your tortoise chooses to replace its water - less urate buildup
Temperature = the cooler the body temperature the more solid type urates will tend to form.

 

[Maro2Bear]

These points are great take aways:

So the key factors:

Diet = more protein - more urates
Hydration = the more access to fresh water and the more your tortoise chooses to replace its water - less urate buildup
Temperature = the cooler the body temperature the more solid type urates will tend to form.