Gravel

Question
QUESTION: Hello Jamie,
I have a female map turtle called Myrtle. I have noticed recently that her throat seems to expand when stretching out her neck. Most of the time it looks like she has a ball-shaped object in the middle of her throat. Can you tell me whether this is normal or not or whether I need to take her to a reptile specialist?
Thanks,
Katie Anderson

ANSWER: Hello katie,
Has your map been able to eat any gravel or anything that may be in the throat? Perhaps food that had not broke down correclty?

I would see ow she does and if it doesnt go down, I would definalty say she neds to see a Herp aka exotic vet.
They can x ray  to see what is going on.

Please keep be posted on the outcome.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again Jamie,
I was just wondering if it is normal for Myrtle to be eating gravel then releasing it into the water. Also, Myrtle seems to like eating cucumber, is this ok and what other things can you recommend that she can eat? As well as the above questions, what can I use to brighten up Myrtle's tank. PS I was really pleased with how quickly you responded to my question and the quality of the answer!
Thanks,
Katie

ANSWER: If you read the above post I inquired as to if she was eating gravel as they will tend to do do and then it gets stuck int he throat. If you are seeing her do this then odds are tht is what has happened.
She can have cucumber It has little to no nutrition to it but it is good for bonding. She can have basically vegis all but spinach, fruit only little though as you do nto want her to get runny poo. She can have leaves and hybiscus, I took a pvc pipe, placed holes through the whol;e thing big enough for worms to fall from, capped both ends and filled it up with worms, they had food in with tehm as well, then they fall in occasionally when they end out over the hole. this is fun to watch the turtle get shocked that it is there.

Thank you for the compliment Ive done this 20 yrs now and rescue, rehab and housing reptiles for 20 yrsx is fun but challenging

Ask away thats why im here

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Jamie,
I forgot to say that Myrtle does eat gravel. I wondered if she had a lump in her throat because of being to cold? Some people say that if you buy a bigger tank for a turtle, they get bigger. Is this true as she has just been moved from a 2 foot tank to a four foot one. How big can a Mississippi map turtle grow?
Thanks,
Katie Anderson

Answer
Ive never heard about it getting cold and getting a lump but I am not a vet, however as to your other que 11 inches is usually the biggest.

they do NOT grow to the size of the tank- they keep growing and then there is stunting due to lack of room. it effects them internally as well.