Soaking a cold tortoise/prepping for brumation

[SinLA]

I'm rethinking my soaking strategy and could use advice. I'm prepping Fezzik (adult Russian) for Brumation (third time's a charm?) and so far I've just been keeping him outside where it is ranging between upper 40s and mid 50s at night, and though we can get upper 70s some days, he has much less access to warm direct sunlight - only dappled light - so I'm supplementing by warming him inside with a basking lamp for a few hours a day because otherwise he is staying very cold even tho he's been eating. I am about to stop his access to food entirely now and I hope to put him in the fridge before thanksgiving.

My question is - I am trying to soak him daily, but he's so cold in the morning, I'm not sure that's an ideal time to soak. He is very inactive in his soaks now i'm sure b/c is so cold, and I"m not sure how great an idea it is to take a 50ish degree tortoise and put them in 95 degree water.

So is it better to wait until he warms up some naturally and then soak him (when he might actually poop, he almost never drinks that I see), or does it not matter?

Thanks all, but also tagging @Tom !

 

[Tom]

I prefer to soak them in the afternoon after they've warmed up in general. I never like to soak tortoises in the morning. I don't think it does any harm, but I think it's better to wait until they are up and active.

 

[SinLA]

Ok i'll make that change. Do you think I should be putting him in his indoor enclosure to "warm up" for a few hours, or will that offset his body clock preparing for brumation. I'm just concerned because he's probably not getting above 60-65 degrees if I leave him outside during the day, its too shady this time of year (next year I'll cut back my trees but it is what it is this year)

 

[Tom]

Ok i'll make that change. Do you think I should be putting him in his indoor enclosure to "warm up" for a few hours, or will that offset his body clock preparing for brumation. I'm just concerned because he's probably not getting above 60-65 degrees if I leave him outside during the day, its too shady this time of year (next year I'll cut back my trees but it is what it is this year)

They need to be able to fully warm up every day before brumation for a while so they can function and empty their gut after you stop feeding them. If your indoor set up is the best way for you to make that happen, then yes, bring him inside.