Soaking

[Kara]

Hi, everyone!

Pretty sure my 3-toed guest needs a soak as she's been here since Saturday. I'm so afraid of making her sick; it's a bit cold around St Louis this time of year. Can someone please give me explicit, detailed instructions?

I appreciated all the help the forum has provided! I was feeling inadequate to the task when she arrived; it's very comforting to have a place to go with questions.

Thanks so much!
Kara (and Lea)

 

[wellington]

You do have to keep her warm the whole time she is soaking. Also do the soak in warm water. I always did mine in the bathroom sink. When it got soiled, I let it drain and added clean warm water. Another way I am doing it now, is in a bin that fits in the sink. I put warm water in the soak bin and hot water in the sink. I then float the bin in the sink. The hot water in the sink helps to keep the soak water warm.

 

[Kara]

Doesn't the bin get yucky before the soak is done? Is there a recommended length of time?

You do have to keep her warm the whole time she is soaking. Also do the soak in warm water. I always did mine in the bathroom sink. When it got soiled, I let it drain and added clean warm water. Another way I am doing it now, is in a bin that fits in the sink. I put warm water in the soak bin and hot water in the sink. I then float the bin in the sink. The hot water in the sink helps to keep the soak water warm.

 

[TigsMom]

Kara be very careful that glitter and paint may come off in the warm water and you don't want the turtle to ingest it by drinking the glitter in the water. I would try holding her under a slow stream of warm water and use a soft toothbrush to try to gently loosen the glitter and get any loose glitter off, before you soak her.

I soak my boxies in a plastic shoebox sized container with about an inch of warm water for 20-30 minutes, when I'm rehabbing them or my hatchlings. I usually do these soaks at the warmest part of the day so that the soak water stays warm.

My adult boxies live in outdoor enclosures here and typically soak themselves in their pie plates and 8x8 baking dish sunk in level with the ground. I clean and fill those water dishes everyday with warm water. They are now getting ready to hibernate, but you shouldn't let that boxie of yours hibernate this year as you're unsure of his health and diet prior to your rescuing him.

 

[wellington]

Doesn't the bin get yucky before the soak is done? Is there a recommended length of time?

You do have to keep her warm the whole time she is soaking. Also do the soak in warm water. I always did mine in the bathroom sink. When it got soiled, I let it drain and added clean warm water. Another way I am doing it now, is in a bin that fits in the sink. I put warm water in the soak bin and hot water in the sink. I then float the bin in the sink. The hot water in the sink helps to keep the soak water warm.

Yes, when the water gets dirty, flush it and refill. Mine were tiny things so tiny poops would go down the sink. I changed to using a little bin as my sink stopper isn't working that great.

 

[Kara]

Thank you so much! I'll be super careful about the glitter and let you know how it goes.

She does 'soak' herself at least part of every day. I don't fill it past about 1/2 an inch so it's possible for me to lift out and change; I have to change it 4 or 5 times a day as her set up isn't great and the cypress mulch gets into the waer.

I appreciate the help.

~Kara & Lea

Kara be very careful that glitter and paint may come off in the warm water and you don't want the turtle to ingest it by drinking the glitter in the water. I would try holding her under a slow stream of warm water and use a soft toothbrush to try to gently loosen the glitter and get any loose glitter off, before you soak her.

I soak my boxies in a plastic shoebox sized container with about an inch of warm water for 20-30 minutes, when I'm rehabbing them or my hatchlings. I usually do these soaks at the warmest part of the day so that the soak water stays warm.

My adult boxies live in outdoor enclosures here and typically soak themselves in their pie plates and 8x8 baking dish sunk in level with the ground. I clean and fill those water dishes everyday with warm water. They are now getting ready to hibernate, but you shouldn't let that boxie of yours hibernate this year as you're unsure of his health and diet prior to your rescuing him.

 

[Saleama]

You have a real beauty there! Looks like a three toed under all that paint. This turtle can and will spend a huge portion of it's day in and around water. Some people even refer to them as semi-aquatic. I have some adults that will spend days in the water at a time depending on how hot it is out. Once the paint comes off, there shouldn't be any issue soaking him/her in water deep enough for just the head to poke out.
I have a "swamp" in my Juvenile habitat that I made with a paint tray and my tree toed and gulf coast boxies swim in it all day long. the ornates go in alot, but tend to only do short dips before heading for the basking area.

 

[Kara]

I'll have to make sure Lea gets a pond in her 'summer' garden.

She spends a lot of time in her water bowl. It's not very large, though, so she's usually half in, half out. I am soaking her every other day; she's very active in the water. It's also the only time she doesn't try to climb the walls. Literally.

You have a real beauty there! Looks like a three toed under all that paint. This turtle can and will spend a huge portion of it's day in and around water. Some people even refer to them as semi-aquatic. I have some adults that will spend days in the water at a time depending on how hot it is out. Once the paint comes off, there shouldn't be any issue soaking him/her in water deep enough for just the head to poke out.
I have a "swamp" in my Juvenile habitat that I made with a paint tray and my tree toed and gulf coast boxies swim in it all day long. the ornates go in alot, but tend to only do short dips before heading for the basking area.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Soaks are like an ahaaaa spa, warm and cozy and yummy. Once a week, I add bird vitamins to my tortoises soak, about 5 drops - just for a little added benefit. About 20 minutes are usually good. Under a cozy light is good. Make sure to replace the water if it cools. And the yukky water can go down the toilet. If they poop during spa time it keeps the habitat cleaner anyhow.

Also, that nail polish. If you should want to try to get it off rather than wait until wear and tear gets rid of it ... maybe go to the health food store. They have non (less?) toxic polish removers. Here are three brands you may want to look in to: Honeybee Gardens / No-Miss / Acquarella. About 6 to 7 bucks. You could check Amazon. I would triple rinse the shell afterwards with a safe natural soap, or even Dawn dish washing liquid (they use that for animals in oil spills) to be sure their is no residue left. Careful with eyes and ears.

Cute little turtle. : )

 

[Kara]

Lea's exceptional (if I do say so, myself); she only eliminates in water. In her water bowl at first; a little icky but easy enough to dump and wash. I use small plastic containers for soaks. We go through 3 or 4 water/ container changes.

I'm really new to this so I probably qualify as a 'helicopter' parent. No more than 5 degrees F change in water temperature. I check the light apparatus every 2 minutes to confirm nothing came 'loose.'

Soaks are like an ahaaaa spa, warm and cozy and yummy. Once a week, I add bird vitamins to my tortoises soak, about 5 drops - just for a little added benefit. About 20 minutes are usually good. Under a cozy light is good. Make sure to replace the water if it cools. And the yukky water can go down the toilet. If they poop during spa time it keeps the habitat cleaner anyhow.

Also, that nail polish. If you should want to try to get it off rather than wait until wear and tear gets rid of it ... maybe go to the health food store. They have non (less?) toxic polish removers. Here are three brands you may want to look in to: Honeybee Gardens / No-Miss / Acquarella. About 6 to 7 bucks. You could check Amazon. I would triple rinse the shell afterwards with a safe natural soap, or even Dawn dish washing liquid (they use that for animals in oil spills) to be sure their is no residue left. Careful with eyes and ears.

Cute little turtle. : )