problem hydrating my rf

[klobe9]

first I would like you all to meet moses




she won't go into her water dish (I think because the walls are too high) and she won't drink when I put her in there.

heres a shot of the dish and tortoise to compare



also she only poops when I put her on the kitchen floor and I find this a problem since I can't always be taking her out every day to poop. Any input would be appricated

 

[Candy]

I soak Dale (my sons Cherryhead) about 2 times a week and he seems to like it. He doesn't usually drink the water though, but he does always poop in it. I'm sure your Redfoot is probably pooping though sometimes they eat it if you don't catch them. As for the water dish I have one that Dale can walk in and out of so it's easy for him. Anyway welcome to the forum and your tortoise is really cute. Candy

 

[Itort]

Nice looking guy. Try a terra cotta plant saucer about 1.5 times the shell length. I find these are easier for torts to enter and exit. My RFs do voluntarly soak in these and in addition the water leaches out creating a damp area. I assume you also have a humid hide with sphagum moss.

 

[blackcat38]

Hi Klobe9
just like to say she looks lovely

I'd put in a saucer that you know she can easily walk in and out of. If you walls are too high at the mo she might not be able to get into the water bowl even if she wanted to.
I have 3 redfoots and only one actively goes to the dish to drink. The other two will sit in the water but I've never noticed them drinking.

I also find they all poop as soon as they are in the bath, I give them a soak in the bath every other day, they seem to love to and will sit for ages and seem quite content.

even if you don't see her drinking, as long as she can get to water when she does want it and you soak her regularly I don't think you need to worry

Rachel x

 

[Jacqui]

That water dish looks like the one I have currently in my young RF, Zipper's enclosure. Doesn't it have slow inclines (almost like steps) so they can climb in and out? If you place him in it, can he climb out alone? Are you putting warm water in or cold? It looks like he's big enough he should be able to handle it.

As a rule, I start the babies out with the tiny plant saucers and did the same with Zipper. Once he was established (a month or two), we moved onto the type it appears you have. I also have my substrate (I use the soil/sand) piled a little thicker/higher up the front steps.

You say she doesn't drink while in there. What does she do? Is she panicking, trying to scramble out of the dish or just sitting there? She may not be needing a drink at the time your placing her in, if she is being calm and sitting.

Depending how often they are in the water and what, when, and how much they have eaten, they don't always eliminate in their water. It can be easy to some times over look the small stools in the enclosure and some may be getting eaten.

 

[klobe9]

We probably have the same type and there is a gradual incline but she is way to small to see over it to KNOW there is water she would just have to remember but I piled up the substrate to make it smooth all the way to the very top where she would walk in, buried it so its eye level.

When i put her in its a mix of things she does, at first she sits still as if waiting to see what happens next, then she will begin to move around in circles trying to find a way out. However today (I always put her in before eating because she won't eat before I put her in) she stayed in for about 10~ minutes and I found alot of poop when I left so thats good. What color should it be though?

 

[terryo]

This is what Pio's poop looks like.

 

[Jacqui]

Great picture Terry!

Water doesn't have to be visual to the animal, they can smell where the water is.

 

[terryo]

Thanks...Pio would rather eat poop than pineapple!