Couple questions! (about soaking)

[Natalie Wheeler]

Usually we soak our Tortoise once or even other day to hydrate him and make sure he goes to the bathroom regularly. Right now for instance its 7pm pacific time for us-we thought we'd eat dinner and give him a soak but he is knocked out inside his little hut inside his enclosure. Do we wake him up or just not do it tonight? This will also mean that he has had no dinner I just worry about him!
One more question we got a hibiscus plant of our own to grow for him. Can we feed him the flower and the leaves or just the flower?
Thank you all!
-Natalie (Shellton's Mama!)

 

[crimson_lotus]

How old is your tortoise? Once they get a bit older you don't need to soak them daily. If he's only a few months old, then just wake him up to soak him.
Babies often sleep a lot so I wouldn't be worried about him napping.

Hibiscus is absolutely fine to feed, my tortoise loves it. Check out this site for more info:

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=237

 

[Yvonne G]

I've never fed my tortoises, babies or otherwise, more than once a day. It's not going to hurt Shelton any to miss a meal or a soak.

 

[Natalie Wheeler]

How old is your tortoise? Once they get a bit older you don't need to soak them daily. If he's only a few months old, then just wake him up to soak him.
Babies often sleep a lot so I wouldn't be worried about him napping.

Hibiscus is absolutely fine to feed, my tortoise loves it. Check out this site for more info:

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=237

THANK YOU!
He is still only a couple of months old so good to know! when i do give him a soak right now at least every other day he takes giant poops! and then this morning he actually pooped and peed in his habitat on a rock! we literally watch over him and check on him ALL the time since we both work full time we try to give as much quality time as we can. But anyways thats why I'm so obsessed with his soaks because i want to make sure he is healthy and keeping to regular bowl movements.
thank you for the site on the flowers! and plants that is sooooooo helpful! I'm so glad we got one!
thanks again!

 

[Natalie Wheeler]

I've never fed my tortoises, babies or otherwise, more than once a day. It's not going to hurt Shelton any to miss a meal or a soak.

Thank you, good to know! I just worry and with animals of corse they can't tell you what they need lol!
thank you!

 

[Natalie Wheeler]

He also tries to escape his habitat ALL the time, its like some daily mission! We have even got more things for the cage, rearranged things in there because i read they c an become board. WE have some free time and put a towel on the coffee table to let him roam, plus his soaks, and all he wants to do is spend his day trying to escape!? i just worry because thats how he ends up flipping himself on his side or back and I'm just scared he will do that one day while I'm at work!
is this normal, and is there any way i can prevent it or make him more happy with his surroundings?

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Can you post a picture of the habitat?

Rearranging the habitat can be a source of stress, not entertainment. Try to stop that except when really called for. They don't like novelty.

A towel is not a good substrate & the table isn't a good place for him. Instead, increase the size of his habitat, & make sure he can't see out of the sides. Many tortoises become restless when they can see out, and if they're taken out.

 

[Tom]

Had to go check your history to see that you have a sulcata. They should be soaked daily, but skipping a day now and then won't hurt anything. They should be fed in the morning so they have all day to process their food.

The hyper activity concerns me. What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area and over night low? How are you heating and lighting? UV bulb? Coil type? What size enclosure? What substrate?

Have you read these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum, Natalie!

I suggest you read the caresheets, which should be of help. Meanwhile, good luck.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hi , Natalie, a bit more info would help us to help you to help your tortoise.