Drinking Through Vent? Yes or No???

Dovey

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Can or cannot tortoises absorb moisture through their vents, the way many other sorts of reptiles can?

My bearded dragon, for example, hardly ever drinks water through his mouth, but prefers to absorb water through his vent as part of his defecation ritual while soaking.

Is this the benefit tortoises obtain from soaking, or do they benefit in some other way?

Thanks!
 

Tom

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No one has a definitive answer. Some say no and others think yes.

In chameleons and some other lizard species, water can collect on the head and run down the scales into the mouth. I see no reason why this wouldn't also work for a tortoise sloshing around in a soaking tub, even if they don't "drink".
 

Yvonne G

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I read long ago that the only species of chelonian that actually drinks through the cloaca is a water turtle native to Australia. Can't remember where I read it, but if it was on the 'net, it must be true! ;)
 

Dovey

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I read long ago that the only species of chelonian that actually drinks through the cloaca is a water turtle native to Australia. Can't remember where I read it, but if it was on the 'net, it must be true! ;)
Well, clearly!
 

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