Soak day in this incredible heat wave
- Thread starter TaylorTortoise
- Start date
Adorable! Just be careful with them soaking under open sun - they can heat up from the sun faster then cool down from the water.
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
They do fine in the sun soaking. They hide in shade all day so allowing them to get sun is good.
Absolutely sun is good but not if they over heat. The warning Alex and the Redfoot gave you is very legit.
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
Oh I understand. But they aren’t overheating when sitting in cold water for 15 -20 minutes. They’re fine
Soaking though really should be in warm water not cold. Not hot, but not cold.
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
Well we are in a heat wave here so cold water will only stay cold in direct sunlight for so long. That’s my point by not having them overheat
COmtnLady
Well-Known Member
As you know, reptiles are cold blooded. If you were offering them cold water that they could get out of if they found it uncomfortable, it would be different. Since you are putting them into cold that they can not escape from it is similar to someone throwing ice water on you then not allowing you to get away from it. You are shocking their systems with the cold water. Normal soaking temp is far better than cold. Less differential between ambient temps and the water temps is less drastic to their bodies.
I was looking for a post some measurements were done on this, but can't find it yet. A safe amount of water in the soaking tub is not enough for effective thermoregulation and core body temperature eventually raises. Thermal exchange inside tortoise body is not immediate.
I'm not criticizing you, just pay attention to your torts because they CAN overheat. It's just safer to soak them in shade. Under trees or shade cloth there is still UVB and you can soak them in warmer (room temperature) water to make soaking more comfortable for them.
They are hiding in the shade for a reason. Its too hot in full sun when temps are in the 90s and UV levels are likely too high if its anywhere near mid day. If they are outside frequently, or if they live outside, you don't need to worry about them getting enough UV.
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TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
The water is not that cold to shock their systems
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
I understand your concern for them overheating but I know how to care for my animals. Thanks for the feedback though!
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
Im not worrying about them getting enough uv. They only need a couple good hours to get enough uv for the day. But thanks for the feedback!
When I put Ink outside in the kiddie pool, I fill it and let the water warm up before he goes in for a soak. It usually takes about an hour on the cement. I'm sure the small amount of water in Taylor's containers warms up quickly before she puts her tortoises in the water. My opinion.
Hmmm. This is fun. Anyway, what's the temperature of the water, was it taken?
I found that in soaking my pythons in their tubs outside in the sun, the water got really hot really fast! I had to keep a close watch and move it to the shade sooner than I had thought possible.
I found that in soaking my pythons in their tubs outside in the sun, the water got really hot really fast! I had to keep a close watch and move it to the shade sooner than I had thought possible.
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
Not sure, they only soaked for a good 15-20 minutes and I would spray them with cold water until I put them back in the shade!
If you soak them in the morning and not in the nonn, perhaps it's not extremely dangerous. Do you have a temperature gun?
TaylorTortoise
Well-Known Member
It was in the morning, I am also pregnant so we all were out in the sun equally
Congratulations! How exciting
Not by their posts it's cold when the tort is put in, not warm. Also sprayed with cold water. Does it warm up, most likely but the tort was already put into it cold.
