They love poop

[Hermiesguardian]

I get fresh tortoise poop from a friend. These guys absolutely love rubbing it on their shells. And watch as the big guy is pushing the poop underneath him, the guy behind him it taking it, saying, hey thanks.

https://youtu.be/8Swv2wTpsBY

And the 2nd one, the big guy in back is still rubbing his shell in it.

https://youtu.be/YWu2DtOOxXA

And I'm just so happy they're spreading this stinky poop all over the place, squishing it in the substrate. :roll:

[aslansgirl89]

Do you mind if I ask why? I am rather confused...

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[Hermiesguardian]

Do you mind if I ask why? I am rather confused...

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Why they love it?

[aslansgirl89]

What is the purpose of it? Is it nutritional or a natural behavior because they are prey? How did think to start doing this?

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[Hermiesguardian]

What is the purpose of it? Is it nutritional or a natural behavior because they are prey? How did think to start doing this?

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Well worm castings is on the food pyramid I think. Which is poop. I've ordered powdered guinea pig poop with other hermit crab food. Someone on our forum, or our facebook page, showed his crabs outside (he lives in warm, humid area), heading straight for the dog poop. And smearing it on their shells. That's the first time I've seen that. I assume it's for camouflage. If you have a pet you can use their poop as long as the pet isn't given any meds.

[Links]

I find raccoon poop but I’m afraid of it! Mine get worm castings so far.

[aslansgirl89]

Well worm castings is on the food pyramid I think. Which is poop. I've ordered powdered guinea pig poop with other hermit crab food. Someone on our forum, or our facebook page, showed his crabs outside (he lives in warm, humid area), heading straight for the dog poop. And smearing it on their shells. That's the first time I've seen that. I assume it's for camouflage. If you have a pet you can use their poop as long as the pet isn't given any meds.

Hmmm! Now that is very fascinating! Always happy to learn something new about our unique little pets!

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[JoeHermits]

I find raccoon poop but I’m afraid of it! Mine get worm castings so far.

Considering how many have raccoon roundworm I think I would also use caution for my sake.


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[curlysister]

I collect moose poop, but only in the spring. I figure that they eat all the vegetation around here, which is sprayed with chemicals from the surrounding fields. So in the spring, there should be minimal amounts of any of the chemicals left in their diet and their poop.
I have considered the deer poop, but deer eat everything including grain when they can get it, which would be treated so I decided against it. Same with coyote.
My niece has a rabbit, but she doesn't feed it organic so I have never been comfortable with that poop. We do have some wild rabbits that come through the yard, but I have no idea what they are eating at any given time of year LOL.

[Links]

I collect moose poop, but only in the spring. I figure that they eat all the vegetation around here, which is sprayed with chemicals from the surrounding fields. So in the spring, there should be minimal amounts of any of the chemicals left in their diet and their poop.
I have considered the deer poop, but deer eat everything including grain when they can get it, which would be treated so I decided against it. Same with coyote.
My niece has a rabbit, but she doesn't feed it organic so I have never been comfortable with that poop. We do have some wild rabbits that come through the yard, but I have no idea what they are eating at any given time of year LOL.

That’s so cool you get moose poop.

We have many rabbits in our yard. We used to see a ground hog under that lived under our shed. Something happened to it and I think rabbits took over his home. I see the rabbits eating clover in my yard. They probably are also the reason some of my seeds didn’t grow in my garden. Lol. Since I see them eating clover I know herbicides wouldn’t be in their system but I suppose if someone treated their yard with an insecticide could be possible.

I guess I won’t take any chances. And I can’t find their poo anyway.