My tortoise won't drink

TheSulcata

Active Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2016
Messages
209
Hello, I have a one and a half year old sulcata and he won't drink from his water bowl. It is big enough to where he can get in but he still won't. I also soak him every two days and keep his environment humid and about 100 temp. Anything I should change? (I also have a retreat he can get to that's about 80 degrees)
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
I rarely see my tort drink, so I wet his food and soak him daily. I'm guessing he does drink as he wees a lot and his urates are as they should be so he must be well hydrated.
Is his water deep enough for him to submerge his head in? I'm sure I read somewhere that they need to do that to drink.
Hopefully someone who's observed their torts drinking will be able to conform or refute that.
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
That should be 'confirm' not 'conform':)
If you post a pic of your enclosure members can suggest any changes you may need to make to give your tort a happy safe home.
 

Gillian M

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2014
Messages
15,417
Location (City and/or State)
Jordan
Hi @TheSulcata and a very warm welcome to the forum.

Please give your tort daily soaks in warm water. If you've the time, sit and watch and you might see him drinking. I do that when I give Oli his daily soaks. I watch closely and notice that he does drink.
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Thanks! I will definitely change my ways!
Have you found the caersheet for sulcatas in the Species Specific section yet? That will tell you all about diet, temps, substrate and humidity etc. The Beginners Mistakes thread will help you avoid potential problems (Link below) and the Enclosures thread has lots of great ideas.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I noticed he got in yesterday for a short time
Your 100 temps is too high except for the basking area only. The all over temp should be 80 and that's with. 80% humidity.
They get hydrated through their soaks also. So if ever you don't think he drinking, up the soaks
 

sibi

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 23, 2012
Messages
6,486
Location (City and/or State)
Florida, USA
It's really hard to see them drink, especially from a bowl or dish. Sometimes I catch sight of one resting their chins on a bowl of water. You may not see them, but they actually sip water without even opening their mouth. Yes, when soaking, water should be just above their plastron or bottom shell. This allows them to chill and take sips if they want to. If they thrust their heads into the water, that could be more about wetting their heads, but it could mean they're drinking too. Who really knows for sure? One thing is certain; fresh water dishes /bowls should always be available daily whether or not you think their drinking water or not.
 

Marcus Harrison

Active Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
169
Location (City and/or State)
Manchester, UK
I saw my Russian drink a couple of weeks ago as I put her in the water for a soak, it's actually hilarious!! Her little head was so funny
 
Top