Our 12-13 year old Redfoot tortoise Harry ll seems much more hungry and active after a good soak for half an hour or so. My wife read somewhere that tortoises drink through their bottoms (anuses) I’m not so sure. Can anyone confirm or deny this please. Tortoise dad Fred.
Red foot tortoise drinking ability
- Thread starter Fred Savill
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- May 19, 2015
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I'm not sure if it can technically be called drinking, but they certainly can absorb water that way.
Angie
Hello!
They absorb some moisture through skin areas not covered with hard scales (like neck or skin around cloaca). However, I have not seen scientific papers proving "cloacal drinking" (some demonstrate no significant water intake, though).
Soaking, however helps tortoises to poop - this could be the reason for him to perk up. And redfoots generally enjoy water and humid environments, drink and soak on their own.
They absorb some moisture through skin areas not covered with hard scales (like neck or skin around cloaca). However, I have not seen scientific papers proving "cloacal drinking" (some demonstrate no significant water intake, though).
Soaking, however helps tortoises to poop - this could be the reason for him to perk up. And redfoots generally enjoy water and humid environments, drink and soak on their own.
Many thanks for taking the time to respond. My thinking is the same as the 2 replies. Yes he does do huge poos after a soak which suggests he maybe dehydrated before soaking. I have definitely seen him drinking water with his mouth so the observation through the softer tissue is definitely a reasonable conclusion.
If he poops after soak - it's not a definite sign of dehydration. They do that even with daily soaks, high humidity environment, moist food (like fruit) and always available drinking water. Just a matter of anatomy and physiology, I guess.
If he drinks water through mouth - that gives the most significant water intake. Soaks are still beneficial, though.
RandyTortoise
Well-Known Member
I have heard that too and don’t personally believe it. Soaking helps to hydrate their skin but they can only drink thru their mouths. People that say they drink from their butt is fantasy. I would like to see a scientific study on that before believing it.
Soaking definitely gets them eating and drinking. It is super healthy!
Thank you for your reassurances. It’s good to know how much knowledge there is in our community and everyone is more than happy to help a fellow tortoise slave!!!
