Bathing red foot

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
Hi guys just a quick question..do you still bathe your tort if it has a big enough water bowl in its enclosure? Mine loves his dish and lies in it for ages:) so I was wondering if there was any need to bath him? He's 5 years old and eats and drinks like a champion
 

Anyfoot

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
6,309
Location (City and/or State)
UK Sheffield
Hi guys just a quick question..do you still bathe your tort if it has a big enough water bowl in its enclosure? Mine loves his dish and lies in it for ages:) so I was wondering if there was any need to bath him? He's 5 years old and eats and drinks like a champion
At that age I wouldn’t bother. As long as he’s spending time in the water. No harm in giving him a good 30min soak once a month. I don’t bathe any of my adults, but they have access to a large pond 24/7.
 

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
At that age I wouldn’t bother. As long as he’s spending time in the water. No harm in giving him a good 30min soak once a month. I don’t bathe any of my adults, but they have access to a large pond 24/7.
Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah he always climbs in and could sit there for a couple of hours I've found him sleeping in it, I picked him out and he just clambered back in and went back to sleep again:)
 

Anyfoot

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
6,309
Location (City and/or State)
UK Sheffield
Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah he always climbs in and could sit there for a couple of hours I've found him sleeping in it, I picked him out and he just clambered back in and went back to sleep again:)
Are you sure it’s a he. Can I see the underside of him please.
 

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
Here you go:) I was told he was a male I've only had..him? a little while. What do you think?
 

Attachments

  • 20181111_203101.jpg
    20181111_203101.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 25

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
Ok just got my tape measure out and it comes to 17 cm or 6 1/2 inches. I had to bring him to the vets a few weeks ago as he had an eye infection but thankfully that is all cleared up. But she said he was a little small for his age. His previous owners kept him in a very small enclosure only suitable for a hatching really. When he went and slept in his hide he/she had to pull his head inside his shell as the front and back of the shell touched the walls of the hide. Could such a small enclosure have stunted his/her growth? Also his diet had been very poor iceberg lettuce, pellets and chicken.
 

Anyfoot

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
6,309
Location (City and/or State)
UK Sheffield
Ok just got my tape measure out and it comes to 17 cm or 6 1/2 inches. I had to bring him to the vets a few weeks ago as he had an eye infection but thankfully that is all cleared up. But she said he was a little small for his age. His previous owners kept him in a very small enclosure only suitable for a hatching really. When he went and slept in his hide he/she had to pull his head inside his shell as the front and back of the shell touched the walls of the hide. Could such a small enclosure have stunted his/her growth? Also his diet had been very poor iceberg lettuce, pellets and chicken.
Ok. He’s smaller than I thought. Still too young to sex correctly.
If I was you I wouldn’t feed any animal protein for a few months. If the last owner fed a high portion of protein, it could be the reason he’s sat in water all the time. Originally I was thinking it could be a female reaching maturity and wanting to lay eggs. I have some that sit in water for days when gravid.
 

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
Ok. He’s smaller than I thought. Still too young to sex correctly.
If I was you I wouldn’t feed any animal protein for a few months. If the last owner fed a high portion of protein, it could be the reason he’s sat in water all the time. Originally I was thinking it could be a female reaching maturity and wanting to lay eggs. I have some that sit in water for days when gravid.
Oh thank you for telling me that. I have only gave him some protein once since I got him so I will definitely stop for a few months. I will have to wait then to see if Toto is actually Totete :D
 

theguy67

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
583
I'm also one who doesn't soak. It certainly has its purpose, and one is not wrong to do it frequently. I provide mine with soaking dishes and humid burrows, so I don't see the need. I think soaking is useful for breeders who have several hatchlings and new keepers that are just learning the ropes.
 

Toddrickfl1

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
7,103
Location (City and/or State)
Ga
My Redfoot is about the same size as yours he's 6" and I think about 3yrs old. It might not be necessary but I still soak him about once or twice a week.
 

Kells Bells

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
Messages
97
Location (City and/or State)
Ireland
Yeah i think I'm going to continue to soak him now and again he does enjoy it and I have to admit I enjoy watching him. I've added a picture of him in his bathing dish. He kinda looks like he's on a plate and I'm serving him up :D
 

Attachments

  • 20181008_212123.jpg
    20181008_212123.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 20

New Posts

Top