Re: Dumb questions on soaking

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Posted by Terry on May 23, 2000 at 16:41:20:

In Reply to: Re: Dumb questions on soaking posted by kelly on May 23, 2000 at 16:25:48:

It also depends on the size of the tortoise, for a hatchling maybe 3 times a week, for a juvenile 1-2 times a week.
For an adult Leopard soaking isn't needed unless it is dehydtrated due to medication, or another cause.
Drinking water should always be available though, my hatchling leopards would soak themselves. I provided a very shallow, flat tupperware lid filled with water. It was no more than a quarter of an inch deep maybe a tad more. It was very easy for the tortoises to walk into.
They would drink and soak themselves.
My sub adult leopard would also soak himself in a large but very shallow plastic plant pot saucer filled with water.
Once again it was very easy for the tortoise to step into and wade through.

The water should only come up to the bottom of the torts chin, or the point the bottom shell (plastron) meets the top shell ( carapace).
The water should be lukewarm only, not warmer, you can soak for around 10 minutes.
If however the tortoise is drinking and soaking on it's own there really is no need for additional soaks.

All my torts are housed outdoors, even the tiny hatchlings had their own , safe enclosure.
In an indoor enclosure the soaking dish might get the substrate a bit too damp.
But drinking water should be provided anyway.
When my leopard torts were very tiny, I used a sunny delight plastic top for a drinking dish!
Hope this helps,
Terry.

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: It also depends on the size of the tortoise, for a hatchling maybe 3 times a week, for a juvenile 1-2 times a week. : For an adult Leopard soaking isn't needed unless it is dehydtrated due to medication, or another cause. : Drinking water should always be available though, my hatchling leopards would soak themselves. I provided a very shallow, flat tupperware lid filled with water. It was no more than a quarter of an inch deep maybe a tad more. It was very easy for the tortoises to walk into. : They would drink and soak themselves. : My sub adult leopard would also soak himself in a large but very shallow plastic plant pot saucer filled with water. : Once again it was very easy for the tortoise to step into and wade through. : The water should only come up to the bottom of the torts chin, or the point the bottom shell (plastron) meets the top shell ( carapace). : The water should be lukewarm only, not warmer, you can soak for around 10 minutes. : If however the tortoise is drinking and soaking on it's own there really is no need for additional soaks. : All my torts are housed outdoors, even the tiny hatchlings had their own , safe enclosure. : In an indoor enclosure the soaking dish might get the substrate a bit too damp. : But drinking water should be provided anyway. : When my leopard torts were very tiny, I used a sunny delight plastic top for a drinking dish! : Hope this helps, : Terry.

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