Exercise

[chris1810]

Since its cold wet and windy here in Manchester how can i get some exercise for my little mate.
Can i leave him to wonder on my floor or is there any better way?

 

[Tom]

Bathtub soak. Keep the water warm. They will do laps for an hour...

 

[pam]

What a good idea

 

[Cadance]

Bathtub soak. Keep the water warm. They will do laps for an hour...

Great idea I think I will do this for mine!

 

[chris1810]

I would do but he just sits their like a star and does not move lazy.

 

[Tom]

Try longer time periods. They almost always get sick of it and start running around. Try, warmer water, not hot though... Dry a little deeper water. Bathtubs are neat this way because they can always move "uphill" into shallower water.

 

[slowpoke]

hey tom i read on here a while back putting your tort in the bathtub isnt good for them because of chemicals and shampoo and other things not alone with after they are done pooping and peeing in the tub , me on the other hand, wash out the tub real good before and after , so are you a bathtub guy for yours ?

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Bathtub soak. Keep the water warm. They will do laps for an hour...

 

[Tom]

hey tom i read on here a while back putting your tort in the bathtub isnt good for them because of chemicals and shampoo and other things not alone with after they are done pooping and peeing in the tub , me on the other hand, wash out the tub real good before and after , so are you a bathtub guy for yours ?

I used the tub for many years. Now I mainly use dish washing tubs. When it was just me the tub worked great, but I'm married now and my wife has a masters in microbiology. Did her thesis on E. coli H157. So no more poopy tortoises in the bathtub for me.

I never had any problem with soap residue or anything. I just rinsed it real well with hot water before and after, plus I used a bleach spray bottle after each soak.

 

[Kerryann]

The bathtub is a great idea. I hadn't thought of using one of the spare tubs where they only get used by people once a year or less. It would be really easy to keep the chemicals out and I can just extra sanitize it before guests come. Since we have a spare master suite and we rarely have more than one visitor at a time I have other tubs that almost never get used other than when I clean them monthly.
GREAT IDEA

 

[chris1810]

Not working for me he just stays in 1 spot like a star,I keep toppin the water up warm but no he does nit move..I need a new way to exercise him..Any ideas anyone?

 

[JoesMum]

I really don't think they need exercising as such. If it's not warm enough or too warm in an enclosure they'll do nothing. If there's nothing to do (feeding, looking for food, mating, climbing) they won't do anything. Why waste energy unnecessarily?

Torts spend a huge percentage of their time spread eagle absorbing heat. Joe is really only active when he's eating or he'sdecided he needs to defend his garden or he's looking for sex!

 

[ascott]

Well...in my personal experience and opinion

Exercise is huge and is not only necessary for the physical health of a tortoise but it offers mental stimulation and an apparent sense of well being....

As a matter of fact I noticed this morning Herman, one of the CDTs that reside here, looked restless..so I opened his gate and we walked the entire perimeter of the 1.25 acre property our home sits on....he trucked the whole way (well except for when he was diving for some poo surprise then I had to pull the poo out of his mouth and lift him on past the spot until I could kick the poo treat away) it probably took us about an hour to walk the complete perimeter then back in into his gate and then I went and presented him with three huge romaine lettuce leaves which I sat and held for him until every morsel of it was in his possession ...lol..he then went and spread eagle in the shade of the eave of one of his hides....he was content ...

Exercise is crucial....if your weather does not permit him being able to exercise and you have gone over all of your home in the area where you want to let him muck about to make sure no bite sized hazards on the ground...then let him run (keep in mind, motion allows bodily function so be prepared for poo or pee) also, most floors are cold so keep that in mind

 

[chris1810]

He is more than active in his table digging and climbing mostly in the mornins,But for a week or so we have had rain + cold so i cant let him out,But i think i will blast the heating and let him roam the floor for half an hour and strecth his little legs..What do you think?

 

[ascott]

I say go for it....just remember even though the air is warm the ground will remain cooler...so a half hour sure would not hurt him as far as the temp on the ground goes....just make sure that all doors are shut and all pets are contained....and go fot it....play like a hawk to assure your little one does not find trouble...they are a trouble magnet...lol

 

[Kerryann]

My husband wants to know how you keep the water in the tub warm? Can you change the water by just running the cold down the drain and putting in new water?

 

[ascott]

Yes, but make sure he does not go down the drain...lol....oh, just make sure all is done gently...so not to freak him out...

 

[chris1810]

I normally start with the water shallow and when it cools just keep topping it up.If it gets to deep just pull the plug and top it back up.But i have gone back to a washing up bowl cause My Rt just sits there enjoyin the warmth does not move about much in the bathtub.