1st mud bath

[mary t]

SO yesterday afternoon, I started working on an outside "wild flower" (weed) garden, my kind garden so when Willie is out of his habitat he has a little treat area to go romp in. I was preparing the soil with organic stuff and. Wetting it down so I can toss seeds tomorrow and Willie came over to investigate. He wasn't sure about getting misted by the hose but came back a few times to check it out then proceeded to stomp threw my nice muddy soil, before I knew what only an eyeball was showing, I laughed so hard... If this is what he does in 80 degree January afternoons I'm in for it when it's July and 100. Of course I didn't get a picture because I'm stupid but it was so cute because I'm sure thats the first time he has ever been able to do that. I went ahead and added sone of the organic soil to his temporary inside tank and missed it down with the heat lamp on before I gave him a warm bath and put him to bed. I'm pretty sure I saw a smile... Thanks to everyone here on the forum for all the comments on my questions and everyone else's because I would never had know any of this was possible. You guys re great....

 

[Kristina]

They are funny when they do that My babies gave themselves a real good mud bath the other day. I was laughing my behind off as well

When my torts are inside, I take a shallow container, and dig down in the substrate and sink it down in so the top is level with the substrate. I fill it with organic soil and then soak it until there is a little standing water on the top. (put it near the heat lamp or basking area so it is nice and warm.) Be forewarned - it makes for muddy (but VERY happy) tortoises. It also helps raise the humidity in the enclosure. I just throw the old mud out every couple of weeks and replace it with fresh. They love it.

 

[mary t]

That's a great idea. Willie is really only inside well on the back porch in a tank for bed time. I am working on an outside dog house he spends all day in the backyard in his habitat.. But is weather gets bad I may try that .. Thanks..

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

Glad to hear it! Make sure when he gets muddy you rinse his shell off. The mud buildup can be problematic as it adds unnecessary weight to their shell.

 

[mary t]

That's good to know, when I got him he had a lot of caked on dirt that thought was his shell color but since we started semi-soaks we have been working on scrubbing it off. Slowly but we re getting here