Thoughts on soaking hatchlings

Salspi · Jul 11, 2018

Thanks for the advice Tom

Tortoisefanatic88 · Jul 13, 2018

I soak mine twice a day for 20-30 minimum. In the morning and then in the afternoon. My leopard is almost 3 months old. My sulcata is 3 years old and I still do the same for him.

Loni · Jul 13, 2018

Tom said:
It is true of all the species I have reproduced or started from hatchlings.
Sulcatas
Both types of leopards
Russians
CDTs-rescued hatchlings, not bred by me
Burmese Stars
Pancakes

I can't say this is universal for every species on earth, but from what I've seen and read, I can't think of any exceptions. I begin soaking literally the day they merge from their egg. Leaving them alone might initially cause less stress, but any captive animal will inevitably need to be handled. If they are not used to it, the experience can be extremely stressful, to the point of affecting their health. In contrast, an animal that is handled daily and is desensitized to it, will not be traumatized or overly stressed by the day to day stuff that goes on. A good way to illustrate this point would be to look at the differences between WC animals and CB animals of the same species. Night and day.

The breeder of my hatchling yellow foot and red foot follows the same and the dear tiny things are bright eyed and interested and not at all stressed to be handled.

Grandpa Turtle 144 · Jul 13, 2018

AZRT said:
I’m soaking him daily but a few other groups say just a few days a week

Yes you live in AZ , like me . It’s one of The driest states in the USA. People in Florida have more humity . So give your torts as much moisture as you can .

AZRT · Jul 13, 2018

Grandpa Turtle 144 said:
Yes you live in AZ , like me . It’s one of The driest states in the USA. People in Florida have more humity . So give your torts as much moisture as you can .

Oh I know. I grew up in Georgia. Nice and humid

ascott · Jul 13, 2018

ALDABRAMAN said:

That is exactly what I do with the CDTs and they will come out and seek out the "rain" and will stretch out their heads super far and muck about, stomping through the rain and puddles....and then when it stops they will eventually retreat to their burrows.....almost like they are bringing the moisture down into the hole

Great Vid Greg.

Salspi · Jul 14, 2018

Tom said:
I won't roast you, but I will politely and respectfully disagree. I know more than one keeper who gets good results that feels that the daily soaks are more important than the constant high humidity. I also think the daily handling desensitizes them and makes them much less stressed. This is one of the compliments I get from people who buy my babies. They are adaptable and not fearful. They will eat while dangling in the air between thumb and forefinger, and in a moving car. Most tortoises are highly stressed by a moving car. Mine eat while going down a bumpy dirt road. A tortoise that is eating is not a stressed tortoise.

Stress reduction and humidity are good, but I think daily handling and soaking are also very important and beneficial.

How long do you think it will take to desensitize them? When I was soaking my hatchlings, they would see me coming every morning and run to their hide. So, I stopped for a couple weeks. And, they calmed down.

ALDABRAMAN · Jul 14, 2018

ascott said:
That is exactly what I do with the CDTs and they will come out and seek out the "rain" and will stretch out their heads super far and muck about, stomping through the rain and puddles....and then when it stops they will eventually retreat to their burrows.....almost like they are bringing the moisture down into the hole

Great Vid Greg.

Thank you

kaycov · Jul 18, 2018

I handle and soak my guys every, single day. They know the routine and are usually waiting for me to pick them up. I have been doing the same thing since I got them several months ago. They like the backs of their necks rubbed, their dog food and the new squash I got for them and no longer pull them heads in when I reach for them. Nothing fazes them so, even though I'm a novice, it seems that so far, so good. Love this forum - so informative and helpful. I'll get some current pix tonight. Thanks

Thoughts on soaking hatchlings

How many times to soak a hatchling

Every day

Every other day

3 days a week

What? Aren’t they desert animals?

Salspi

Active Member

Tortoisefanatic88

Well-Known Member

Loni

Member

Grandpa Turtle 144

Well-Known Member

AZRT

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ascott

Well-Known Member

Salspi

Active Member

ALDABRAMAN

KEEPER AT HEART

kaycov

Active Member

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