Sulcata doesn't like soaking

[FranklinTturtle]

My Sulacata doesn't like to be soak. Every time I put him in the water he is ready to get out right away. He doesn't even like mud baths. Is this normal?

 

[moswen]

It just depends on the persoNality of your tort. 5 of my torties absolutely LOVE bath time, they stretch out and bask in the warm water under the warm bulb and just soak it all in... But Ayana, my smallest sulcata, and lemon, my smallest spider, just want to get to the food... I soak all my babies in clear tubs under their mvbs every morning b4 breakfast, but Mos used to hate bath time right when I got him and I read somewhere to get him a very deep dish that is not see through and high enough so that he cannot see out and he will enjoy it more, bc some torts will just constantly try to walk through a see-through barrier. And that seemed to work for him, now he likes it even though I have him in a clear plastic shoebox now. Also, Yana used to love bath time until a few months ago but she just decided one day that she would rather not have a bath. It's fine though if every day for his young life he doesn't like bath time-it's good for him and he has to have it! Just like eating your vegetables!

 

[FranklinTturtle]

Thanks for your response. I guess he is just like my kids were when they were younger. I will get him a taller pool and try that.
Thanks Again
Jessica

 

[Dizisdalife]

Timing seemed to be the key for my tortoise soaks. I experimented by soaking him at different times of the day. Eventually I found that in the morning he would soak as long as I would leave him in the tub. In the evening he wants to eat, go hide, and sleep. So, I just adapted to his schedule and soak him in the morning before I put him outside.

 

[DesertGrandma]

I've been experimenting too. His light comes on at 7 am but he is usually up before that because the light comes through the window. If I get him into his soak early in the morning after he has sunned a little while under the MVB, then he will enjoy it for awhile before he goes outside. But, in the evening he is almost always anxious to get out of his soak. He wants to eat and go directly to bed.

 

[FranklinTturtle]

Timing seemed to be the key for my tortoise soaks. I experimented by soaking him at different times of the day. Eventually I found that in the morning he would soak as long as I would leave him in the tub. In the evening he wants to eat, go hide, and sleep. So, I just adapted to his schedule and soak him in the morning before I put him outside.

I will try soaking him earlier. The problem is he doesn't get up untill 10:00 EST. I will have his tub ready then and try it. Do you think he is lazy or is he on California time?

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I've been experimenting too. His light comes on at 7 am but he is usually up before that because the light comes through the window. If I get him into his soak early in the morning after he has sunned a little while under the MVB, then he will enjoy it for awhile before he goes outside. But, in the evening he is almost always anxious to get out of his soak. He wants to eat and go directly to bed.

I will try a ealier soaking. But he is lazy and doesn't show his face until 10 EST. He is just like a pre-teen. Do you think I should start waking him up ealier? He gets up between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.. But he is busy all day roaming the yard. He goes to bed about 6 p.m..
Thanks
Jessica

 

[Tom]

I don't worry about it. I soak them whenever I have the time and they all just get used to it. I use 90 degree water and "freshen" the water as needed. I like to soak mine AFTER they have been out cooking in the hot dry sun. I usually soak for 10-30 minutes. Occasionally longer. When they start trying to climb out, I just leave them in. Its good exercise and it helps move things along in their digestive system. Its kind of like putting a horse on a "hot walker". Horse and tortoise digestive systems are similar in some ways. They each NEED locomotion to help move their food through their digestive system.

 

[JeffG]

I don't worry about it. I soak them whenever I have the time and they all just get used to it. I use 90 degree water and "freshen" the water as needed. I like to soak mine AFTER they have been out cooking in the hot dry sun. I usually soak for 10-30 minutes. Occasionally longer. When they start trying to climb out, I just leave them in. Its good exercise and it helps move things along in their digestive system. Its kind of like putting a horse on a "hot walker". Horse and tortoise digestive systems are similar in some ways. They each NEED locomotion to help move their food through their digestive system.

Agreed. I usually soak my young torts in 100 degree water for 20-40 minutes, but other than that, I do exactly what Tom does. Occassionally one or two of them act like they don't like it, but I know it is good for them so I do it anyway.

 

[SulcataSquirt]

We always soak our Sulcata in the evening, sometimes he likes it sometimes he just wants out.. depends if he's cranky that day or not. But he's to the point now that he knows soaking = eating and bed right after so he's much better about it. I would definitely do it anyways like said above its good to keep things moving in their digestive system.

 

[FranklinTturtle]

I am going to get a thermometer and check his water temperature. Maybe I have been torturing him. I was running his pool and letting it heat up to the outside temperature in the middle of the day. It has always been above 90 degrees out side. But I cannot swear that the water is above 90 degrees. It alway felt good to my touch. Also, I will get a hot water specket out side.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Just keep experimenting and see what works for you and your tort. I always leave mine in for 10 minutes, then refresh/warm the water, and leave in another 10 minutes. It is usually the second 10 minutes that he poops in the water, even though he might be trying to get out earlier than that.

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Although mine is just a hatchling,, so it is easy for me to next to the sink in the bathroom.