My Baby Sulcata tortoise HATES soaking

Daisukin

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I got my tortoise about 1-2 months ago i give him baths and let him soak and he would just walk into the wall. But recently he seems to HATE IT. He is pretty much running into it and i feel really bad for him. I just want to know if this is normal. Thanks.
 

wellington

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Just be sure it's not too hot or too cold. Use a container he can't see out of and be sure he's kept warm the whole time. It's good for them to soak, so keep it up.
 

Tom

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Can we see a pic of the soaking container with the tortoise in it? That might give us some ideas for suggestions that would help.
 

JoesMum

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The container needs to be opaque so he can't see through it, flat bottomed, and deep enough for him not to be able to see over the top. A washing up bowl is good.

The water needs to be warm, but not hot. Think baby bath.

I have most success soaking first thing in the morning before the tort has warmed up properly. He's more like to lay back and enjoy the warmth then. When they're properly warmed up, they just want out! :)
 

Bee62

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I do it like @JoesMum . Soak my little ones when they awake in the morning. At that time they sit still and enjoy the warmth.
But when I soak them when they are already active, they react very excited and want to get out of the bath.
I think my torts hate beeing soaked, but because they need it, they must bear it.:)
 

JoesMum

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I do it like @JoesMum . Soak my little ones when they awake in the morning. At that time they sit still and enjoy the warmth.
But when I soak them when they are already active, they react very excited and want to get out of the bath.
I think my torts hate beeing soaked, but because they need it, they must bear it.:)
You need to get up earlier then :D Or set your lamps to come on a little later. :)
 

cmacusa3

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I do it like @JoesMum . Soak my little ones when they awake in the morning. At that time they sit still and enjoy the warmth.
But when I soak them when they are already active, they react very excited and want to get out of the bath.
I think my torts hate beeing soaked, but because they need it, they must bear it.:)
It's good that their active during soaks, it helps with the bowel movements
 

Bee62

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Joes Mum said
You need to get up earlier then :D Or set your lamps to come on a little later. :)

I am not an early bird ....:( So I usually set up my lamps later...:D
 

Gillian M

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Hello @Daisukin and a very warm welcome to the forum! ;)

Please make sure that the water is not too cold/too hot.

Any pics of your tort and his/her enclosure? :D
 

Markw84

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I think the temperature is important. (For them to enjoy the bath)
Mine like 92f to 95f. Mid 80's and they want out. I also do their soaks as a morning wake up.
I have found the same thing. Mine seem to adopt a "basking" relaxed mode at about 95f. They don't do that as much below 90f. After about 10-15 minutes, they get quite active, though. I don't see it as hating the bath. I see it as great active movement as they are trying to explore more area than they are given access to. I love the exercise for them, and like to have them very active like that for at least 15 minutes more. I use the black mixing tubs from Lowes / Home Depot with the sloped ends. They can't get good traction as they slip on the ends -so it becomes their "treadmill".
 

Tom

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I just make the water kind of warm, plunk the tortoise in the tub and walk away. I've never cared whether or not they like it because its good for them, its not hurting them, and they need it. Some of mine sit there and seem to enjoy, and others are restless and do the tortoise soaking march the whole time. I've had a few that initially acted like the water was boiling acid, but ALL of them eventually calm down and just accept it.
 

Bee62

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Tom said
I just make the water kind of warm, plunk the tortoise in the tub and walk away.

But please never walk away if you bath two ore more torts together.
Not long time ago I bathed my two redfoots together ( as usually ) and one of them flipped over by crawling on the other.
Because of the tortoise soaking march.
 

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