Soaking - How much is too much?

[Loganius]

Is it harmful for them to get water in their eyes?

 

[Yvonne G]

no

 

[Russianuncletwo]

no

I actually got the idea from a tip, possibly on this forum, when something seems to get in their eyes. Water first-if still a problem, then a vet ASAP! I and torts lucked out-water did it!

 

[boxraddict]

Not trying to hijack this topic at all, but mine is active, eating, seems content in every way except when he gets a soak. He is not happy about that. Is this normal their first few soaks?

 

[ILoveTorts&Gerbils]

What sort of temperature water are you using? Depth?

 

[Russianuncletwo]

Not trying to hijack this topic at all, but mine is active, eating, seems content in every way except when he gets a soak. He is not happy about that. Is this normal their first few soaks?

It can definitely freak them out if they're not used to it. Even when they get used to it, they can freak if left longer in than they want. Occasionally you'll get lucky and if using one they can walk in and out in (which I do only with nearby supervision), they'll go back in it. When THEY make the decision, it's "O.K."-like children!! Sensitive as he can be w/noise, vibrations & strangers, my male is finicky and real particular in a very sophisticated (my human standards) manner. He's about as scared of me as I'm scared of winning 80 million dollars, but if he doesn't want me to do a procedure, he will calmly walk the other way quite directly!

 

[Loganius]

I always fill my Russian's saucer with fresh water every morning. Everyday I have come home so far, the water is completely gone and in its place is a fair amount of his substrate, wet. This leads me to believe that he's getting in it almost everyday while I am at work or school. The saucer is in the corner of his enclosure and on the cool side so there is no way it could evaporate that fast, besides the dish is still wet when I go to check on him. What are the odds that he's doing this intentionally?

 

[leigti]

Putting it in the corner could be half the problem. Put it out in the middle somewhere. Tortoises have a way of walking the Fenceline so to speak. So he will crawl through it no matter what, doesn't mean he staying there or drinking any of it.

 

[LAINHART]

Those bowls are great for snakes and lizards, but they are literally death traps for tortoises. Last year a member came home to find her russian upside down and drowned in one. Another member found her russian upside down in there, but the water was shallow enough for the tortoise to not drown.

I highly recommend you switch to something else.

My question is Why were they left unattended? Would a person leave an infant alone in a bath?🤔
I would not blame the dish but other circumstances.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

My question is Why were they left unattended? Would a person leave an infant alone in a bath?🤔
I would not blame the dish but other circumstances.

Because these were simple water dishes in the enclosure. Tortoises should always have an access to clean fresh water. I didn't happen while soaking but when tortoises were on their own in their enclosures. It's unrealistic to babysit them 24/7 so providing a safe environment is one of the goals for keepers.

 

[LAINHART]

Because these were simple water dishes in the enclosure. Tortoises should always have an access to clean fresh water. I didn't happen while soaking but when tortoises were on their own in their enclosures. It's unrealistic to babysit them 24/7 so providing a safe environment is one of the goals for keepers.

Thanks for clarifying. I misunderstood. Thought they took them out into their bathtub. Lainhart always has his very shallow water in his habitat for drinking. I’ll be careful now not to make the water deep in his enclosure. I soak him and is never left. Sorry for your friends loss. They are like family members. He has learned to go up the ramp when he needs to. So cute.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thanks for clarifying. I misunderstood. Thought they took them out into their bathtub. Lainhart always has his very shallow water in his habitat for drinking. I’ll be careful now not to make the water deep in his enclosure. I soak him and is never left. Sorry for your friends loss. They are like family members. He has learned to go up the ramp when he needs to. So cute.

The best way to prevent drowning is to use right water dish - shallow, sunken in substrate with good traction (non-slippery). Terracotta saucers are good choice.
For soaking it's better to use opaque container, the whole point is to keep him in water for enough time. If he tries to climb out - likely the water temperature needs to be adjusted.

It seems a bit of confusion here, it wasn't my friend whose tortoise drowned. I've just seen that story on the forum. But nevertheless it's always sad when such incidents happen and devastating for the owner.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for clarifying. I misunderstood. Thought they took them out into their bathtub. Lainhart always has his very shallow water in his habitat for drinking. I’ll be careful now not to make the water deep in his enclosure. I soak him and is never left. Sorry for your friends loss. They are like family members. He has learned to go up the ramp when he needs to. So cute.

That type of ramped water bowl is not safe or suitable for tortoises.

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