Why do they need a soaking?

[joliekat]

I have a nice little pond in Frank's enclosure so won't he use it when he needs to?  It's kind of like they will eat the cuttlebone when they need calcium right?  Don't get me wrong, I love bath time  , it's like our special hang out time together, but I'm just wondering if we do it to play with our torts or because they won't do it as much as they really need to?  Any input would be great.  Thanks!! 

[David and Borris]

Joliekat,  I am a newbie too but from what i have read is that we soak them to insure they stay hyrated, they drink and they also get their skin moistened.  THe best part is they poo in water so it makes cleaning up their habitat that much easier.

David

[Bertas Tortoise]

I dont think I have ever seen Berta poo in her waterhole.  Even when I do soak her she never seems to do it.  Is this a bad sign?

[Zookeeper]

I have a nice little pond in Frank's enclosure so won't he use it when he needs to

Maybe, maybe not.  My torts never willingly soak themselves.

I'm just wondering if we do it to play with our torts or because they won't do it as much as they really need to?

Unfortunately, my torts don't consider it playing, they don't like being soaked and try to climb out of the pan continually.  They may not like me for it but it's got to be done.  If I had known about soaking to keep a tort hydrated I could have saved myself $325.00 in vets bills because of a tort that had an intestinal blockage due to dehydration.

[Zookeeper]

I dont think I have ever seen Berta poo in her waterhole.  Even when I do soak her she never seems to do it.

How long are you soaking for?  I'm asking because with my torts the longer I soak them for the more likely they are to eliminate in their "bath" water.  If I soak for only 10 minutes they generally don't eliminate but if I soak them for 20 minutes they do.

[Bertas Tortoise]

yeah I dont think I am soaking her long enough. She hates it and always trys to escape. I guess I will just have to leave her in there longer. I feel bad though cause I know she doesnt like it.

[baxter]

I dont think I have ever seen Berta poo in her waterhole.  Even when I do soak her she never seems to do it.  Is this a bad sign?

It's not a bad sign and nothing to worry about, mine stay in for 20 minutes and they rarely poo in their water. Only once in a while. Sometimes they go right after the soak though. It's better to soak them for 20 minutes as Zookeeper said, and you may want to try different water temps, as I noticed my one tort hates it when the water is a little too warm, but he likes it when it's not too warm. Mine seem picky when it comes to the water temps.

[William]

I've noticed Lenin will try to get out if the temp is not 'perfect' to his liking.  Water that is neighter too hot or too cold on my wrist is generally what he likes to soak in best.

Also do not soak with water that comes from a water faucet hooked up to a water-softener.  Too much sodium content!

[joliekat]

Thanks for all the input everybody.  I've only had Frank a few weeks so I'm trying to get into a routine with him and was just curious.  About the temp though is funny.  I used to put in room temp water and he would claw and not be happy.  But now I put in kind of warm water that feels really comfy to me and he just sits there all relaxed and seems to enjoy it.  Then he gets really relaxed and he poos. 

[baxter]

Yes, aren't they funny? Each one has their own personalities...one of mine likes warm water and the other likes tepid. And one will sit there forever, blowing bubbles in the water, while the other barely makes it to 20 minutes.

[Turbotort]

I always thought it`s meant to be tepid so i used to do it like that. Mine used to hate it so i tried warming it up a bit and they love it nice and warm. They bask everyday without fail for the first couple of mins in the water, stretch out it`s so funny, strange isn`t it how they all like different things 

[Bertas Tortoise]

turbo I just saw your pic of your beautious tort and it looks similar to my berta mae! Too bad they couldnt meet.

[Turbotort]

Oh thanks 
i wish they could too, have you got any pics you can put up i`d love to see Berta mae!! 
(P.s), let us know how the vet goes tomorrow, x

[Bertas Tortoise]

Im so excited I soaked Berta for 20 min. It was tough cause she kept on trying to get out. I used warm water and she did it! She pooped and it was the best thing ever!! I cant believe how over the moon I am about turtle poo!

[Bertas Tortoise]

Hey turbo how do I post some pics?? I know you post a thing here and then a thing there, I just dont know where!