Enjoying his soak

katfinlou · Nov 25, 2014

Just though I'd share some pics of the newly named "Manny" having his soak and getting spruced up before his visit to the vets tomorrow. He doesn't seem to enjoy them as much as he did when I first got him and wants to be out after a few minutes.

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Iochroma · Nov 25, 2014

Looks good!
What temperature do you make the water?
29.5 C. / 85 deg. F. would be ideal.

katfinlou · Nov 25, 2014

I havent got a water thermometer, I just make it where it's comfortable on my wrists. I was wondering if I was over doing the soaking, he never had soaks in his old home

Moozillion · Nov 27, 2014

I thought my Herman's, Elsa, hated her soaks for no good reason because the water felt nice: very mildly warm TO ME.

But human body temp is 98.6, so anything BELOW that feels cool to us and anything ABOVE that feels warm. A Herman's most comfortable temperature range is 75-85*F. The basking spot is around 95*.
When I measured her bath water, it was right around 100* even though it barely felt warm TO ME!!!!
When I felt water that was 80*, it felt cool to me, but she was relaxed and comfortable: no more frantic scrambling to get out!!!!
Please, PLEASE: MEASURE YOUR WATER TEMPS!!! If it's barely warm to YOU, it's probably too hot to HIM!!

bouaboua · Nov 27, 2014

Very pretty torts. I will fight like him too is you put me in that water! ! !!

katfinlou · Nov 27, 2014

Gosh i didn't realise it might be too hot!! That's why I love this forum, such a wealth of experience and people willing to help new owners learn! It will be interesting to see just what I considered 'barely warm' when this thermometer arrives!!

Hopefully this one is ok!

katfinlou · Dec 1, 2014

Moozillion said:
I thought my Herman's, Elsa, hated her soaks for no good reason because the water felt nice: very mildly warm TO ME.

But human body temp is 98.6, so anything BELOW that feels cool to us and anything ABOVE that feels warm. A Herman's most comfortable temperature range is 75-85*F. The basking spot is around 95*.
When I measured her bath water, it was right around 100* even though it barely felt warm TO ME!!!!
When I felt water that was 80*, it felt cool to me, but she was relaxed and comfortable: no more frantic scrambling to get out!!!!
Please, PLEASE: MEASURE YOUR WATER TEMPS!!! If it's barely warm to YOU, it's probably too hot to HIM!!

My goodness you were so right. What i considered cool was probably boiling him like a lobster, I feel so so bad!!! He's soaking away quite happily in water that feels cold to me.

Amanda81 · Dec 1, 2014

I have never trusted "my judgment", I have always used a thermometer, from day one, to measure my soak temp. I have noticed the quads will sit and totally relax if their water is 82-85. Once the water starts to cool is when they start scrapping at the sides of their bowls. They really are creatures of habit. Lol.

katfinlou · Dec 1, 2014

I wonder if this has had anything to do with him stopping eating. Im so scared ive harmed him, I wanted to do everything for him that he didn't have in his previous home

Moozillion · Dec 1, 2014

I SERIOUSLY doubt you did him any harm.

We all learn as we go! It seems you are alert to how he looks and behaves, you ask good questions and you are willing to set your ego aside to make changes that are best for him. Sounds like you're a gosh-darn good tortoise parent to me!!!!

Moozillion · Dec 1, 2014

katfinlou said:
My goodness you were so right. What i considered cool was probably boiling him like a lobster, I feel so so bad!!! He's soaking away quite happily in water that feels cold to me.

It was a real eye-opener for me when I realized just how cool Elsa likes her soak water. They really are VERY different animals from us mammals!!!

Enjoying his soak

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