Reptiles with Overgrown Beaks

Let's talk about reptiles with overgrown beaks...

When you think of a beak, you probably think of a bird, but turtles and tortoises have beaks too. They don't have any teeth they†chew their food with sharp edges of their beaks. Without proper care, a turtle or tortoises' beak can become overgrown. This can cause the animals difficulty eating.

Turtles and tortoises do not have teeth, but instead grab and chew their food using the sharp edges of their beaks. If an animal's beak becomes overgrown or does not wear properly, it may have difficulty eating.

The symptoms of abnormal beak growth are usually easy for a owner to see. They include an overgrown upper beak and difficulty eating.

Also, when the upper and lower beak do not meet evenly, that is also a sign of abnormal beak growth. This abnormality makes it hard for a turtle to grab, chew, and swallow their food. Therefore they may not eat enough, which can lead to more problems.

What causes beak growth abnormalities? it is usually caused by a poor diet. If you've been feeding your turtle an improper diet since it was young, that could have caused the problem. When a reptile is young and growing, a proper diet is important.

If a reptile only eats soft food their beak may also become overgrown because it hasn't been able to chew and wear down the beak, similar to wearing down fingernails. A reptile that has experienced a broken jaw can also end up with beak abnormalities.

If you suspect your pet has abnormal beak growth, you will want to consult with a veterinarian. It is important to get the problem fixed because it will only get worse. Beaks can actually be reshaped and trimmed. It doesn't hurt the reptile and it can be done regularly if needed.

Feeding a reptile the proper diet will also be important when treating this issue. Give your reptile crunchy food to help wear down their beak, or you can give them soft food to make sure they are eating and have to get their beak trimmed.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.