Normal to move a lot during soaking?

[haidao88]

My red foots move quite a lot during soaking daily, I only have the water level under their neck a little, and the water is warm... Am I doing something wrong ?


My tortoise Peach hates apples
Mario loves Peaches
0.0.2 redfoot

 

[Tom]

Totally normal. The exercise is good for them.

 

[TommyZ]

I was sorta wondering the same lately, my little guy goes bananas when i give him his soaks, sorta like running in place.

 

[haidao88]

Yeah at first I was thinking same also but then I got worried because they were both doing it lol, relieved


My tortoise Peach hates apples
Mario loves Peaches
0.0.2 redfoot

 

[TortoiseLuv0131]

My tort constantly runs in circles when I bathe her LOL...totally normal.

 

[hturner]

Mine will spread eagle for 15 minutes and then she will start to run circles!!

 

[Spn785]

My Russian will spend about 10 minutes completely still with her head as far out of the water as possible, then she takes a drink and goes nuts. LOL

 

[haidao88]

I wonder if this is due to the right temps being lowered because of normal heat rises, which causes our torts to be normal at first but once water level is cooler, they start to move to find warmer temps????? Could be a theory lol


My tortoise Peach hates apples
Mario loves Peaches
0.0.2 redfoot

 

[Spn785]

I think it is just that they want out. LOL

 

[TommyZ]

Re: RE: Normal to move a lot during soaking?

I think it is just that they want out. LOL

Yes i think so too, cuz my lil guy goes bonkers, the moment i put him in my hand, he settles down. I dont think hes a fan of bath time

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[peepat]

Mine doesn't seem to like bath time. He just sits there and when he starts to climb out I figure he's had enough and wants out.

 

[hturner]

Would you recommend leaving them in there for a certain amount of time even if they want out? I know my RF needs some hydration and i want to soak her for 30 mins everyday...is that to much? She last about 15 mins...i try keeping a consistent warm temp!

 

[Spn785]

I would suggest at least 15 minutes. I have a baby Russian and I soak her for 30, whether she wants it or not.

 

[JoesMum]

Two things to try

1. Adjust the temperature of the water slightly... it may be slightly too warm or cool for comfort
2. Soak them at the start of the day before they have warmed up properly... they are more likely to relax then

Soak for a good 20 minutes.

 

[Tom]

Two things to try

1. Adjust the temperature of the water slightly... it may be slightly too warm or cool for comfort
2. Soak them at the start of the day before they have warmed up properly... they are more likely to relax then

Soak for a good 20 minutes.

In addition to the above excellent advice, I just want to say that some tortoises seem to freak out a bit at first, but in time they get used to the routine and just settle down.

When I first got Daisy, I don't think she had ever been soaked. She acted like the water was acid and she was melting alive. Thermometer confirmed water temp was 84.6 and the "hand" test suggested that was about right. After about a month of daily soaks, she would just lay in the water and blissfully sprawl out and relax. Some tortoises just need to get used to it. Other tortoises just don't seem to mind it from day one. My hatchlings are soaked literally from day one and all of them seem to like it, or at least accept it with no issues.

 

[Puckles🐢]

I pour in 3-4 cups of lukewarm water for my Greek and then pour one half cup of cool water in his tub so it isn't too hot, like Tom I too do the "hand" test but I also hold my tortoise over the water so only the feet can get in and if he raises his feet really fast it's probably to hot/cold for them

 

[haidao88]

Puckles what a humorous way to test the waters lol, it's kinda cute to think of it I could imagine it now lol, I would like to see your tort


My tortoise Peach hates apples
Mario loves Peaches
0.0.2 redfoot