Question regarding Sulcata's urine

[Dani33]

Hi everyone, I am getting a redfoot soon and was rereading some information pertaining to their care. During my research, I came across some information in regards to this discussion.

A tortoise or turtle processes waste depending on their habitat, not their diet. According to the following article, only species from arid regions should produce urates and species from humid and tropical regions should produce urea. So, if your redfoot is producing urates, something is wrong (maybe dehydrated?). On the other hand, if your sulcatta is, it is perfectly normal.

This website is considered a very reliable source of information for turtles and tortoises. Refer to the last paragraph. I hope that this clears up any confusion.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/article..._redfoots.html

[K1LOS]

well that makes sense. I was thinking "why would a herp with access to all kinds of water excrete urates? Isn't the whole purpose to conserve water?" Good explanation.thanks dani

Geoff

[johnnym1972]

Hello Geoff, urates are the solids formed from uric acid, they are not the liquid portion of a bowel/urinary evacuation. Tortoises are designed by nature to conserve water, despite their environment. Free access to water has no bearing or effect on the volume of urates that are produced, since urates are solids, not liquids. I hope that this helps you understand what urates are, and what they are not.
Take care, Johnny.