Alternatives to Baths?

[Mika]

I normally give my tortoise a bath once or twice a week, but someone else will be watching her for a while and I don't want them to deal with the mess. Are there any other things I can do to keep her hydrated?

 

[leigti]

How long is a while? And how old is your tortoise?

 

[Tom]

Spray the food with water. Feed more cactus pads. Make sure you have the right kind of water bowl and keep it fresh and clean.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Make sure the habitat is watered regularly.

 

[Mika]

How long is a while? And how old is your tortoise?

I will be gone for 18 days. She is about 1 year old, and is a Russian tortoise.

 

[Mika]

Spray the food with water. Feed more cactus pads. Make sure you have the right kind of water bowl and keep it fresh and clean.

What are cactus pads?

 

[Tom]

There are a variety of cactus species called Opuntia. There are several types that are spineless and they are dry good tortoise food. They can be easily grown in the ground or in pots and they can be bought at most Mexican type supermarkets where they are called Nopales.

 

[Robertchrisroph]

This is the kind we have around local

 

[FujiBaird]

This is the kind we have around local

Those are Opuntia. Should be safe to feed to your tortoise, though you might want to remove the spines. I've heard that tortoises prefer the softer, new growth pads. I've only tried feeding the older pads and my tortoise didn't care for it, though she seems to dislike lots of tortoise favorites like radicchio, hibiscus flowers, etc.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

You'll have a water dish in there, won't you?