Do I need to change bath time?

[Tortoise on the Hill]

So my yearling Sulcata seems to really be hating bath time these days. I haven't changed anything about bath time with the routine happening 5-7 days a week it goes like: water temp starts at 98-100, soaks in a solid white dish-tub, happens inside the mini-greenhouse so the temps stay warm and the water temp doesn't fall much in the 20-30 min soaks (about down to 90 when bath time is over). I also put a wet paper towel on her back during the bath. HOWEVER, bath time is ALWAYS in the morning after she wakes up, usually about 8am.

I am wondering if that's too early and maybe she's just being a grump? Should I try an afternoon bath time instead? I've always just done it first thing in the morning so I would never forget and up until recently it seemed fine.

Maybe it's just a phase? lol.

 

[Tom]

What is it that makes you think the tortoise is "hating" bath time or being " a grump"?

You should definitely try a different time of day and see if you get a different result.

Whatever you do, don't stop dong the soaks. It is a necessary part of good health for a small growing tortoise.

 

[Tortoise on the Hill]

What is it that makes you think the tortoise is "hating" bath time or being " a grump"?

You should definitely try a different time of day and see if you get a different result.

Whatever you do, don't stop dong the soaks. It is a necessary part of good health for a small growing tortoise.

She used to just mostly chill in there until she pooped and then would "want out" (start scratching at the corners). Now she seems to "want out" after about 10 mins and hasn't gone to bathroom in there like usual. I'll definitely keep up the soaks. I got a neighbor helping me add a hot water faucet outside this summer for future baths when she's huge lol.

 

[Tom]

She used to just mostly chill in there until she pooped and then would "want out" (start scratching at the corners). Now she seems to "want out" after about 10 mins and hasn't gone to bathroom in there like usual. I'll definitely keep up the soaks. I got a neighbor helping me add a hot water faucet outside this summer for future baths when she's huge lol.

When they start scrambling to get out, we call that the tortoise treadmill. It's good exercise for them. All the walking usually helps them pass urates (if there are any), and have a bowel movement.

 

[Tortoise on the Hill]

When they start scrambling to get out, we call that the tortoise treadmill. It's good exercise for them. All the walking usually helps them pass urates (if there are any), and have a bowel movement.

Oh okay. So it's not a distress thing then, I see. How long do you think I should let them do that before I take them out? still just do the full 30 mins regardless of bowel movements? I know i read in your guide that longer soaks don't hurt them.

 

[Tom]

Oh okay. So it's not a distress thing then, I see. How long do you think I should let them do that before I take them out? still just do the full 30 mins regardless of bowel movements? I know i read in your guide that longer soaks don't hurt them.

Is it a distress thing? One could argue that it is, but is it bad for them? I don't think it is. Think of the stress level and the mental taxation a wild tortoise would go through on a daily basis avoiding predators, finding food, wandering around looking for water and shelter, fighting other tortoise for territory, or running away from more dominant tortoises that already hold the territory... In our comparison our tortoises lives are pretty cushy and sheltered. They experience no fear, no stress, no anxiety. Perfect nutrition and hydration. Complete protection from the elements and perfect temperatures all the time... I think some stimulation and even a little stress once in a while is good for any captive animal. Getting the adrenaline going, exercising and problem solving (trying to escape the confines of their bath) is a good thing for them. This is just my opinion based on decades of studying animal behavior as both a hobby and profession, and studying my own herds of tortoises daily for decades.

Being just an opinion, this could be easily dismissed, but let's look at facts that can't be dismissed so easily. I've kept tortoises many different ways over a span 40+ years now, since I was a little kid. This allows me to compare and contrast the results of different methods and practices. I've also done many side-by-side comparisons with groups of clutch mates in more recent years eliminating one variable at time to determine what works best and why. This has exposed facts like comparative growth rates and carapace smoothness. It also exposes more subjective information like perceived vigor and appetite. I'm not alone in these observations. Other people report the same results around the world.

So back to your original question: Can soaking them be stressful? In some cases yes, at least to some degree. Is this harmful or bad for them? My results unanimously say no it isn't. Quite the opposite. Tortoises soaked daily, whether they "like" it or not, thrive, do better, and are healthier than tortoises that are not "subjected" to daily soaks.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is it a distress thing? One could argue that it is, but is it bad for them? I don't think it is. Think of the stress level and the mental taxation a wild tortoise would go through on a daily basis avoiding predators, finding food, wandering around looking for water and shelter, fighting other tortoise for territory, or running away from more dominant tortoises that already hold the territory... In our comparison our tortoises lives are pretty cushy and sheltered. They experience no fear, no stress, no anxiety. Perfect nutrition and hydration. Complete protection from the elements and perfect temperatures all the time... I think some stimulation and even a little stress once in a while is good for any captive animal. Getting the adrenaline going, exercising and problem solving (trying to escape the confines of their bath) is a good thing for them. This is just my opinion based on decades of studying animal behavior as both a hobby and profession, and studying my own herds of tortoises daily for decades.

Being just an opinion, this could be easily dismissed, but let's look at facts that can't be dismissed so easily. I've kept tortoises many different ways over a span 40+ years now, since I was a little kid. This allows me to compare and contrast the results of different methods and practices. I've also done many side-by-side comparisons with groups of clutch mates in more recent years eliminating one variable at time to determine what works best and why. This has exposed facts like comparative growth rates and carapace smoothness. It also exposes more subjective information like perceived vigor and appetite. I'm not alone in these observations. Other people report the same results around the world.

So back to your original question: Can soaking them be stressful? In some cases yes, at least to some degree. Is this harmful or bad for them? My results unanimously say no it isn't. Quite the opposite. Tortoises soaked daily, whether they "like" it or not, thrive, do better, and are healthier than tortoises that are not "subjected" to daily soaks.

My very simple opinion is that the pros of soaking outweigh the cons. So I will keep doing it, even though my Russian tortoise seems to hate it (from my point of view).

 

[Tortoise on the Hill]

Is it a distress thing? One could argue that it is, but is it bad for them? I don't think it is. Think of the stress level and the mental taxation a wild tortoise would go through on a daily basis avoiding predators, finding food, wandering around looking for water and shelter, fighting other tortoise for territory, or running away from more dominant tortoises that already hold the territory... In our comparison our tortoises lives are pretty cushy and sheltered. They experience no fear, no stress, no anxiety. Perfect nutrition and hydration. Complete protection from the elements and perfect temperatures all the time... I think some stimulation and even a little stress once in a while is good for any captive animal. Getting the adrenaline going, exercising and problem solving (trying to escape the confines of their bath) is a good thing for them. This is just my opinion based on decades of studying animal behavior as both a hobby and profession, and studying my own herds of tortoises daily for decades.

Being just an opinion, this could be easily dismissed, but let's look at facts that can't be dismissed so easily. I've kept tortoises many different ways over a span 40+ years now, since I was a little kid. This allows me to compare and contrast the results of different methods and practices. I've also done many side-by-side comparisons with groups of clutch mates in more recent years eliminating one variable at time to determine what works best and why. This has exposed facts like comparative growth rates and carapace smoothness. It also exposes more subjective information like perceived vigor and appetite. I'm not alone in these observations. Other people report the same results around the world.

So back to your original question: Can soaking them be stressful? In some cases yes, at least to some degree. Is this harmful or bad for them? My results unanimously say no it isn't. Quite the opposite. Tortoises soaked daily, whether they "like" it or not, thrive, do better, and are healthier than tortoises that are not "subjected" to daily soaks.

Thank you for your in-depth response I appreciate it. I will change the time of day I do my soaks see if it makes a difference, but I will keep them up all the same!

 

[Tortoise on the Hill]

@Tom Just wanted to say even though its only been two baths later Sally was much more chilled out after having been outside all day and took a bath in the evening before bed. She already did her business outside so nothing in the bath water but just mostly chilled soaked and drank before scratching at the corners at later then she has been.

Thanks again!