Enjoying Soaks

[Javan909]

Hello! I got a 6 month old Eastern Hermann’s Tortoise a week ago. I soak it everyday in some warm water, but it doesn’t seem to enjoy it. It is always trying to escape the container. Is it normal for them to seem to hate baths? Anyone have any tricks on getting them to enjoy them? I never leave him in for the recommended 20-30 minutes, because he spends the whole time trying to escape.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Yeah don’t worry that’s completely normal! You might get lucky as you’re starting a soak routine so young with him that he might eventually get more used to them, but he might always be fussy, either way don’t let it discourage you, it makes for good exercise and gets them pooping during lol

 

[Anastasia 22]

Hello!
I had the same question here about soaking my Russian tortoise. The solution that works for me is to put my Russian in a tub with the warm water and pour warm water over his shell. It seems like it relaxes him. And then I just leave and come back to check the water temperature. It cools down quickly. And of course, when my boy sees me around, he pretends to be miserable and half drawn.

 

[Javan909]

Hello!
I had the same question here about soaking my Russian tortoise. The solution that works for me is to put my Russian in a tub with the warm water and pour warm water over his shell. It seems like it relaxes him. And then I just leave and come back to check the water temperature. It cools down quickly. And of course, when my boy sees me around, he pretends to be miserable and half drawn.

Do you just put a little water in the bathtub, or do you have a container for him?

 

[Anastasia 22]

Do you just put a little water in the bathtub, or do you have a container for him?

I put water in a bathtub Container didn't work

 

[Javan909]

I put water in a bathtub Container didn't work

I’ll have to try that, thanks!

 

[Anastasia 22]

I’ll have to try that, thanks!

You are welcome!

 

[COmtnLady]

Make sure there's no soap or shampoo or other residue on in the tub.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hello!
I had the same question here about soaking my Russian tortoise. The solution that works for me is to put my Russian in a tub with the warm water and pour warm water over his shell. It seems like it relaxes him. And then I just leave and come back to check the water temperature. It cools down quickly. And of course, when my boy sees me around, he pretends to be miserable and half drawn.

I can't leave my Russian unattended because he sometimes flips over while trying to get out!

 

[Anastasia 22]

I can't leave my Russian unattended because he sometimes flips over while trying to get out!

Oh, no...
And that is an interesting thing, because my boy is just quietly sitting in the water when I am not around. But if he sees me then it's a different story.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Oh, no...
And that is an interesting thing, because my boy is just quietly sitting in the water when I am not around. But if he sees me then it's a different story.

The thing is my Russian has a belief that he will get out on his own. By standing on his two back feet against the container walls he sometimes ends up flipping on his back.

 

[Javan909]

Make sure there's no soap or shampoo or other residue on in the tub.

Yes, I always make sure to do that, as I have a bearded dragon that soaks in the tub too lol (not with tortoise)

 

[Tom]

Hello! I got a 6 month old Eastern Hermann’s Tortoise a week ago. I soak it everyday in some warm water, but it doesn’t seem to enjoy it. It is always trying to escape the container. Is it normal for them to seem to hate baths? Anyone have any tricks on getting them to enjoy them? I never leave him in for the recommended 20-30 minutes, because he spends the whole time trying to escape.

Try different times of day, and try going warmer or cooler with the water temp. Make sure your soaking container is opaque with tall sides so the tortoise can't see out or think it might be able to reach the rim if it stands up. If the tortoise persists in walking the whole time, it does no harm. It's good exercise. We call this the tortoise treadmill.

 

[Javan909]

Try different times of day, and try going warmer or cooler with the water temp. Make sure your soaking container is opaque with tall sides so the tortoise can't see out or think it might be able to reach the rim if it stands up. If the tortoise persists in walking the whole time, it does no harm. It's good exercise. We call this the tortoise treadmill.

Thanks! He definitely does get exercise in there

 

[Anastasia 22]

The thing is my Russian has a belief that he will get out on his own. By standing on his two back feet against the container walls he sometimes ends up flipping on his back.

Aw, independent Lil Edward