GraceAndTorty
Member
I have a Russian tortoise, Torty! I try to soak him 2-3 times a week. Should I do more? People estimate that he is around ten years old 
How often should I soak?
- Thread starter GraceAndTorty
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The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Does he ever drink or soak on his own? I soak mine 3 to 4 times a week because he doesn't and I want to make sure he stays hydrated.
For an adult Russian in a moderately humid climate, once or twice a week is plenty. In a dry climate, 2 or 3 times a week should get the job done and keep the tortoise healthy and free of urate stones.
Soaking more often will do no harm at all. Repeatedly not soaking enough could cause problems in some cases. Soaking an adult Russian for an hour every day will not hurt anything, but isn't necessary.
Soaking more often will do no harm at all. Repeatedly not soaking enough could cause problems in some cases. Soaking an adult Russian for an hour every day will not hurt anything, but isn't necessary.
GraceAndTorty
Member
I don’t ever see him drink on his own
but I don’t think many tortoise do often lol
GraceAndTorty
Member
Thank you so much!
Renee_H
Well-Known Member
My tortoise is a leopard tortoise and she drinks from her water dish every.single.day! She drinks, walks, eats, walks, drinks, basks, poops, walks, eats some more, eats some grass and then puts herself to bed. That sums up the entire existence of her day. I give her a warm soak bath every Sunday and she never drinks in her bath. Go figure.I don’t ever see him drink on his own
I’ve had my Russian 3 years now. I’ve actually seen him drink maybe 3 or 4 times ever, and only when soaking. Once when it was like 110 degrees out, I have seen him investigate his water dish, but never drink. From what I’ve seen on the board, Russians do not like water even for drinking much…
My very healthy and active Russian drinks once a year: when I bring her out of hibernation, when she really loads up! I know how to soak her in a way she'll tolerate but after years of ownership I've realized a desert tortoise doesn't need it so long as she has access to fresh foods. (And she is indeed from a desert climate, one where weather is extreme and it rarely rains.) Does more soaking hurt, probably not, but it's not something she needs. Is your tortoise regularly eating, walking, and going to the bathroom? She's fine.
I also soak her before hibernation, in extremely hot weather, and the rare occasion she seems poorly. She's hung out when she's not feeling great a couple of times, that's it,
Only you can decide what feels right, just saying what works for my Russian.
I also soak her before hibernation, in extremely hot weather, and the rare occasion she seems poorly. She's hung out when she's not feeling great a couple of times, that's it,
Only you can decide what feels right, just saying what works for my Russian.
My tort Speedy has 3 warm water shallow soaks a week, in a high sided container and I have see him drinking. I have also observed him drinking from the water dish in the enclosure. I think he benefits from this as he is hydrated and the poos and urates are as expected. It is all down to you, your location temps and your time.
