My Hermann's tort, Elsa, hates baths, as in H.A.T.E. As soon as I start pouring the lovely warm water over her, she is clawing at the sides of the bin I use for her tub, trying to get out. She continuously tries to get out the whole time and is obviously stressed by it, so I don't bathe her often.
Light bulb moment: Today I decided to measure the temperature of the water before bathing her. I ran the water to the temp I use for her: lovely warm, NOT HOT, water. I used a kitchen thermometer and was shocked- the temps quickly ran up to the mid 90's and was still climbing when I stopped. NO WONDER she was trying to get out: it was way too hot for her!!!! I kept adjusting the water temp until it measured 84 and was astonished at how COOL that felt to me! When I poured the water over her, the difference was remarkable: she just sat and looked at me. No scrambling, no scratching up the sides of her bin etc. She sat calmly, strolled around a bit, and scratched a little on the sides, but NOTHING like before.
This is now the second time I ASSUMED my tort was just being picky but there was a darn good reason for her actions. She hated the baths I was giving her because I assumed water temperatures that were comfortable for me would also be comfortable for her. I was wrong.
I am grateful and humbled by the lessons I learn from all my animals. I betcha that I make wrong assumptions about PEOPLE too. Food for thought.
Light bulb moment: Today I decided to measure the temperature of the water before bathing her. I ran the water to the temp I use for her: lovely warm, NOT HOT, water. I used a kitchen thermometer and was shocked- the temps quickly ran up to the mid 90's and was still climbing when I stopped. NO WONDER she was trying to get out: it was way too hot for her!!!! I kept adjusting the water temp until it measured 84 and was astonished at how COOL that felt to me! When I poured the water over her, the difference was remarkable: she just sat and looked at me. No scrambling, no scratching up the sides of her bin etc. She sat calmly, strolled around a bit, and scratched a little on the sides, but NOTHING like before.
This is now the second time I ASSUMED my tort was just being picky but there was a darn good reason for her actions. She hated the baths I was giving her because I assumed water temperatures that were comfortable for me would also be comfortable for her. I was wrong.
I am grateful and humbled by the lessons I learn from all my animals. I betcha that I make wrong assumptions about PEOPLE too. Food for thought.