soaking

[nessielocks]

How often should i soak my baby leopard? He's about two months old and I'm getting told once a week or every couple days in confused. So i thought i would ask people who actually have them and know from experience

 

[Creedence]

I don't own any leopards, but I'd guess at least once a day since he's still a baby. Wait for the more experienced keepers though

 

[nessielocks]

Thank you and yes I'll wait for other inputs too what species do you have?

 

[Tortus]

I think everyone here will tell you once a day for 20 minutes. That's what I've seen repeatedly and that's what I'm doing with my month old leopard. And she poops in the soaking water, so that will keep your enclosure clean if you do it often.

What I do is put some spring water from the grocery store in a container and microwave it for 25 seconds. Then I set it on the stove with the stove on broil so it will stay warm (yes, I check the temp with an infrared gun to make sure it's not too hot).

The first day I soaked her the water got cold after a few minutes when I didn't have an alternate heat source. So now I make sure it's on a warm surface so it stays warm during the entire soak.

I'm sure someone more experienced will chime in telling me if this is good or not, but as of now it seems to work.

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

I soak mine twice a day

 

[Tom]

Everyday for the first six months or so. 10 minutes is probably enough. 20 minutes is better. 30-40 minutes is not too long.

Do watch the water temp. I usually just soak them somewhere with warm temps.

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

I soak mine twice a day

Let me recap. I soak mine twice a day (once in the morning, once in the evening) in warm water (not hot or cold!) for 15 minutes

 

[DesertGrandma]

Nessie, I have leopard babies. I soak mine in luke warm water in the bathroom in plastic shoe boxes every evening/late afternooon. They get 10 minutes, and then I add more warm water for another 10 minutes. They usually poop in the second 10 minutes. I do it in the bathrooom so I can dump the dirty water in the toilet. They have learned to enjoy their soaking, and they know that they get fed right after they are done. Soon I plan to soak them outside in sun-warmed water, but now that the weather will start cooling off I might have to wait 'till next summer for that.

 

[kathyth]

I soak youngsters 1-2 times daily.

 

[nessielocks]

Awesome thank you guys so much this really helps, and probably explains why his bathroom habits have not been regular.

 

[nessielocks]

He doesn't like the water he just wants to crawl out of it. Should i just wait? And he'll learn to like it?

 

[Tom]

He doesn't like the water he just wants to crawl out of it. Should i just wait? And he'll learn to like it?

Yes. Most of them weren't soaked enough as babies and they aren't used to it. They do settle down in time. All the walking is good exercise for them anyway. Just make sure the water is the right temp and not too deep. An opaque sided tub will help too.

 

[nessielocks]

Thank you tom

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Also how often is ok to hold them? Is out good for bonding/ socialization?

 

[Neal]

I think it's good to hold and handle them often, as long as it's done in a none stressful way. When you hold the tortoise, try placing him in the palm of your hand so it feels more secure.

This helps the tortoise become accustomed to your presence and you handling him, which will make physical examinations a lot easier.

 

[Yvonne G]

Also, you should use a little bowl/tub with high sides that the tortoise can't climb out of. Its called a forced soak.

 

[nessielocks]

Ok sounds good thank you guys stop much

 

[nessielocks]

Morning soak today much better but still gonna take some time