i have noticed several caresheets make no mention of soaking these guys. Is there a reason to not or do you generally soak these guys as you would any other tortoise hatchling?
My Redfoot gets a 20 minute soak every morning. And the humidity in her habitat is usually around 70%. They need humidity, as they are native to the rainforest.
My adults live outdoors and I no longer soak them.
However, even during the raining season it's common to find them swimming or just sitting in one of their pools.
My red foot rortoise loves to soak cold water, warm water, lukewarm water it doesn't matter to him. I have to fight with him sometimes to get him out I would soak a red foot tortoise everyday
I soaked my four hatchlings every other day until they were ~ one year old. I don't have time to soak mine daily and they should know how to hydrate with the large potting saucer (1/2 gallon of water) in their enclosure. Water intake is instinctual.
Mine were soaked daily their first year, then every other day. Their "bedroom tank" ambient humidity always in high 80's and low 90's. They drink out of their water bowl and at times I see them just sit in their little pool. I do like to "bathe" them and think will continue to do so (just not 3 x wk) even after they move full time outdoors. It's a great opportunity to have little 1:1 with them, check out their eyes, nose, mouth, skin/scales/shell.
I soak my hatchlings and juveniles every other day. They love it and usually defecate while soaking . Seems to help
guard against pyramiding also. I had some slight pyramiding years ago on some that I hatched that I didn't soak as frequently.
Much smoother growth with frequent soaking and higher humidity. I don't have the space to soak my adults during the winter
so I spray them often