Sulcata squirting water from mouth?

[MacLachlan]

I have a young sulcata hatchling (just over a month old) that I was soaking, it took a gulp of water and immediately squirted it back out from his mouth- almost in a short stream. I have raised a few of these guys but have never seen this. Not sure if this means he could have an obstruction, or some other issue, perhaps this is normal and I just never caught the others doing this. I've googled and searched the forums for about 2 hours now with no similar issues, if it even is an issue. Lol

Any clue what this means- if anything? Behaviour seems normal, appetite as well, so likely not a RI.

 

[zovick]

I have a young sulcata hatchling (just over a month old) that I was soaking, it took a gulp of water and immediately squirted it back out from his mouth- almost in a short stream. I have raised a few of these guys but have never seen this. Not sure if this means he could have an obstruction, or some other issue, perhaps this is normal and I just never caught the others doing this. I've googled and searched the forums for about 2 hours now with no similar issues, if it even is an issue. Lol

Any clue what this means- if anything? Behaviour seems normal, appetite as well, so likely not a RI.

No, not normal. Not likely due to an obstruction if the tortoise is still eating. Perhaps the tortoise accidentally inhaled some water. How deep was the soak water?

 

[MacLachlan]

No, not normal. Not likely due to an obstruction if the tortoise is still eating. Perhaps the tortoise accidentally inhaled some water. How deep was the soak water?

Just to the bottom the plastron when standing. It seemed that he was washing his face with his front legs, which I've seen him do a number of times, this time he pulled his head back up and squirted out the water, so I'd say accidental inhalation seems to be a likely cause.

 

[Tom]

When they pull their head in, whatever is in there in its place must come out. Usually this is air and we hear a hiss. If the tortoise's mouth and throat were full of water at the time head retraction, water would come squirting out the same way the air would.

If all else is good, I wouldn't worry about this. If the tortoise is eating, pooping and growing, there is no reason to think there is an obstruction.

I see you are a new member. Most of the care info given for sulcatas is old, out-dated and wrong. Here is the correct care info if you are interested:

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[MacLachlan]

When they pull their head in, whatever is in there in its place must come out. Usually this is air and we hear a hiss. If the tortoise's mouth and throat were full of water at the time head retraction, water would come squirting out the same way the air would.

If all else is good, I wouldn't worry about this. If the tortoise is eating, pooping and growing, there is no reason to think there is an obstruction.

I see you are a new member. Most of the care info given for sulcatas is old, out-dated and wrong. Here is the correct care info if you are interested:

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Sounds good! Thanks! Have actually been using your guide for both of my adults and the hatchling, great stuff!