Just break a small portion of the cuttlebone and feed your tortoise directly from your hands. Well, there is a risk of getting bitten. But at least you ensure that the pet is not overfeeding or underfeeding on the calcium. Wear latex gloves as protection. 2. Sprinkling:

Some too may avoid foods high in calcium such as dandelion leaves, hibiscus flowers and leaves, and grape leaves.Why do you think tortoises eat snails in the wild? It turns out that balancing a tortoise’s diet for calcium is too challenging for you and it’s too challenging for tortoises. Getting pet tortoises the right balance of calcium in their diets is something of a challenge and it’s one of the most difficult things about owning these reptiles. There are two other minerals that a tortoise needs in their diet in reasonable quantities to promote healthy bones: magnesium and phosphorous. Magnesium

Now, the problem isn’t as easy to fix by tampering with the tortoise’s diet as it might first appear. OK, the tortoise doesn’t need as much salad and fruit and does need more dark greens in its diet but will making this change immediately make things better for your tortoise? One reason why tortoises can consume cuttlefish is because it is a rich source of protein. Protein is essential for the growth and development of tortoises, and it helps to build strong muscles and organs. Cuttlefish contains all the essential amino acids that tortoises require, making it a valuable addition to their diet. The plants get their calcium from calcium rich soil. So, you will find that most tortoise habitats in nature are on or near calcium rich soil. So what is a cuttlebone? Although called a bone, this material is actually the internal shell of cuttlefish which is actually a mollusk. With sufficient calcium in the meals, tortoises do not have to face such problems. Feeding the pets cuttlebones will ensure the healthy growth of the carapace and plastron.Calcium can inhibit the absorption of the trace minerals so offer other mineral and vitamin supplements separately to calcium supplementation. In addition to protein, cuttlefish is also a good source of calcium. Calcium is crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones in tortoises. It plays a significant role in shell development and overall skeletal health. Tortoises require a steady supply of calcium throughout their lives, and including cuttlefish in their diet can help meet this requirement.

Humans have been feeding cuttlebones to their pets since the times of the Ancient Romans. There are several ways to find cuttlebones. One of the easiest is to buy them online.

Diet

Adult sexually active tortoises require a calcium and mineral supplement two to three times per week, with calcium supplementation on the remaining days. Fresh cuttlefish bone can also be ground up and sprinkled on your tortoise food as a calcium supplement Cuttlebones can be the calcium source for tortoises, promoting solid bone growth. 2. Strong & Solid Shell Development

But yes. Eliminating calcium altogether from meals will pose a greater danger. Such as, 1. Soft Shells: Many owners prefer to leave the cuttlebones in the enclosure. It definitely allows the tortoises to nibble on the calcium at their own pace. But sometimes, the pets may end up overeating calcium or not touching the bones at all. Again, the pen moisture can ruin the integrity of the cuttlefish entirely. These are 100% natural and are relatively affordable. Even if you are having a hard time finding the natural thing, the synthetic ones also work well. When it comes to feeding cuttlefish to tortoises, the recommended portion size is based on the size and age of the tortoise. A general rule of thumb is to feed a portion that is roughly the size of the tortoise's shell. This ensures that the tortoise receives enough protein without being overwhelmed by a large portion. It is also important to note that cuttlefish should be offered as part of a varied diet and not as the sole source of food. Vegetables, leafy greens, and other protein sources should also be included to ensure a well-rounded and balanced diet. The more you vary the diet the happier your Tortoise will be, try and mix the ingredients as much as possible and try not to to give the Tortoise to much Cucumber and Lettuce as these have no nutritional value but can help rehydrate your Tortoise.In fact, as most tortoises have too much phosphorus in their diet already , you might make any calcium deficiency they have worse by using bone meal. What’s Wrong With Egg Shells? MBD has a serious effect on tortoises of any age and health condition. For starters, the gravid tortoises may experience egg binding because of this disease. It can even threaten their life. Another potential risk is the high content of iodine in cuttlefish. While iodine is an essential nutrient for tortoises, excessive consumption can lead to hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland becomes overactive. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in tortoises include increased appetite, weight loss, increased activity levels, and even death in severe cases. Therefore, it is important to offer cuttlefish as a treat or occasional supplement to the tortoise's regular diet, rather than as a primary food source. Natural unfiltered sunlight plays a significant part in the production of vitamin D3, which plays a major role in forming bony tissue in chelonians. The levels of UVB present in countries like the UK often fall far below that required of individual species and therefore artificial UVB lights and normally a vitamin D3 supplement may be required, depending on where you live and what species you keep.