I have a redfoot (New Owner) and I can't understand why you have to force soak a tortoise. If we are thirsty we drink , even a baby, you offer it a bottle , if she (he) doesn't want it they push it away. I have tried putting my Ruby into her pool(water dish) she stays a minute or so and leaves. I hate "forcing her to stay" ,she fights to leave, to me it is like forcing someone to drink. I have seen her go in and stay by herself (again a minute or so, once around 15 minutes and I think that is the way it should be.She is healthy and alert. I bought her with shell rot (too much water), but that is gone now. Her plastron is damaged because of this rot.
Noone is around in the wild to soak them,they "Know" when they need to soak. I just cannot understand this...
Noone is around in the wild to soak them,they "Know" when they need to soak. I just cannot understand this...