Don’t want to question anyone’s status quo. Just try to discuss the knowledges which should also be updated by study.If it’s not said by @zovick, then toss it out. Bill is a legend and speaks from 40+ years experience with radiata. Nothing wrong with questioning the status quo, but the benefits of soaking tortoises is very widely accepted, regardless of species.
Firstly, we should figure out what’s the water mean to radiated tortoise. In Madagascar, rainfall capacity is high from December to April. And other months is dry and comparatively cold. And the rain is often short and intense in the rainy season. Radiated tortoise cannot get water all the time in a year, and they can store water for long time once they have drunk enough water. An adult radiated tortoise can drink 1.5L water in one time. And a group of radiated tortoises were found on the dried-up riverbed waiting for raining in Madagascar. So water is relatively precious for radiated tortoise.
Secondly, we can find that radiated tortoise used to drink water every time when people afford water. With drinking these water, tortoises will easily pee. And their urine color is clear when frequently drinking water, otherwise the color is nearly red. Some radiated tortoise raisers from German consider that frequent urination will take some minerals away and it’s not healthy for radiated tortoise who could endure long dry seasons.
Lastly, I think there’s no specific evidence to prove the disadvantages of soaking water. I just offer a different opinion which I think meet more conditions radiated tortoise really need.