soakings?

[Tom]

Just understand there is a big difference between offering her a pool to get into and "soaking" her. Many tortoises will choose to not utilize water sources that are offered and for a wide variety of reasons.

Your girl needs some regular soaking for a while. Also, you can add another 4 inches of water to the soaking tub. It will make drinking easier and keep her cooler on your hot days.

 

[RB and Sally]

wow... that is a whole lot more than I was reading about ... this morning she just lied in it for about 10 min, and then started to look for an exit. I did see her take several big "gulps", the word Big Gulp just took on a new meaning!... okay thank you!

 

[Tom]

wow... that is a whole lot more than I was reading about ... this morning she just lied in it for about 10 min, and then started to look for an exit. I did see her take several big "gulps", the word Big Gulp just took on a new meaning!... okay thank you!

No problem.

To drink they need to get their nostrils and their whole mouth under water. Many of them stick their whole head underwater. If the water is too shallow, they can have a tough time drinking.

When you do your soaks, its fine if they get antsy and start trying to walk out. Leave her in there for a good 30 minutes. Dump and refresh the water as needed.The locomotion is good exercise and also help keep things moving along in the GI tract.

 

[DawnH]

Awwww! Sweet girl! She looks so pretty in her new pool! Our sulcata LOVES his soaks. He often takes a nap while soaking. It's pretty sweet when they have all four legs outstretched and content.

 

[Gillian M]

Awwww! Sweet girl! She looks so pretty in her new pool! Our sulcata LOVES his soaks. He often takes a nap while soaking. It's pretty sweet when they have all four legs outstretched and content.

Oli enjoys his soaks so long as the water is nice and warm. Once it cools down, he begins to fight and struggle to get out.

 

[Gillian M]

Awwww! Sweet girl! She looks so pretty in her new pool! Our sulcata LOVES his soaks. He often takes a nap while soaking. It's pretty sweet when they have all four legs outstretched and content.

Oli enjoys his soaks so long as the water is nice and warm. Once it cools down, he begins to fight and struggle to get out.

 

[Gillian M]

Oli enjoys his soaks so long as the water is nice and warm. Once it cools down, he begins to fight and struggle to get out.

Extremely sorry: posted same message twice. Apologies.

 

[RB and Sally]

No problem.

To drink they need to get their nostrils and their whole mouth under water. Many of them stick their whole head underwater. If the water is too shallow, they can have a tough time drinking.

No problem.

To drink they need to get their nostrils and their whole mouth under water. Many of them stick their whole head underwater. If the water is too shallow, they can have a tough time drinking.

When you do your soaks, its fine if they get antsy and start trying to walk out. Leave her in there for a good 30 minutes. Dump and refresh the water as needed.The locomotion is good exercise and also help keep things moving along in the GI tract.

"The Locomotion"?
The "locomotion" you mentioned, Is that when the Tortoise bumps up and down real fast and huff and puffs. If not, what is that called? Whenever she does that. It about scared the urates right out of me (just saying).
SOAK UPDATE Yesterday after her 1st soak in the morning, she stayed out wondering the grass lands and the outback for a few hours. (That was not common) It was nice to see her out and about.

 

[Tom]

Locomotion is simply them walking. Much like a horse, when they move around and walk, it helps things keep moving through their digestive tract. Often they soak for a few minutes and then begin the soaking march. I let them get their exercise and continue their soak for a total of 20-45 minutes. There is no need to pull them out if they finish drinking and become more active. This is why you need a tub big enough to contain them.