Swimming

[Gus Tortii Blackbarrow]

Given their inherently slow nature, were I to throw a tortoise in a lake, would it have enough time to take a gulp of air to allow it to eventually climb out of the water or would it just sink like a stone and drown? asking for a friend...

 

[Yvonne G]

Some tortoises float and can paddle to the shore, other species sink and will drown, not realizing they can walk along the bottom to the shore. For example, leopard tortoises and galapagos tortoises float, while desert tortoises sink.

 

[dmmj]

Hmmmmm, experiment time I think.

 

[Gus Tortii Blackbarrow]

Some tortoises float and can paddle to the shore, other species sink and will drown, not realizing they can walk along the bottom to the shore. For example, leopard tortoises and galapagos tortoises float, while desert tortoises sink.

Has there been a documented study on which species of tortii will sink/swim or is this just an observation following a spontaneous need to throw ones tortoise in a lake?

 

[Yvonne G]

According to most theories, the tortoises on the Galapagos Islands got there eons ago by floating from South America. I've seen videos on a Yahoo African Tortoise group of a guy's full grown leopard tortoise swimming in the fish pond. I had a desert tortoise years ago and we had an olympic-size in-the-ground swimming pool in the back yard. I put the tortoise in the water to see if he was safe in the back yard. He sunk to the bottom.

Those are my only experiences with swimming tortoises.

 

[Prairie Mom]

Please don't let your friend start chucking live animals into lakes just to see what happens!

Come on...I can't be the only one worried about this question

Welcome to the forum Gus Tortii

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Welcome to Tortoise Forum, Gus.
But I agree with Prairie Mom.
Let's not experiment, it's got to be stressful if not downright dangerous.

 

[dmmj]

All right experiment has been cancelled. Tommorow we are gonna see if poodles can fly? Flap harder fluffy, HARDER!

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Some can swim for a while before they become exhausted and drown. Glad the experiment is cancelled.

 

[THBfriend]

Has there been a documented study on which species of tortii will sink/swim or is this just an observation following a spontaneous need to throw ones tortoise in a lake?

It's never a good idea to throw a tortoise anywhere! Several species can swim, but they can't dive, and if you throw them into water, they will be completely submerged in the beginning, which can't be good. And they can't easily leave the water unless there's a sufficiently shallow bank.

• Greek tortoise (or possibly Hermann's)
• African spurred (sulcata)
• Leopard tortoise, and another one
• Red-footed
• Aldabra

That said, you really shouldn't force a tortoise to swim.

 

[Yvonne G]

Very interesting, THB. Thanks for finding those for us.

 

[Gennifer11]

Awesome videos! I had no idea how well they could swim!

 

[Keith D.]

All right experiment has been cancelled. Tommorow we are gonna see if poodles can fly? Flap harder fluffy, HARDER!

Noooooooo not my poodles....

 

[tortadise]

Quite a few species here love the water. The one that seems most favorable to the outdoor ponds have been the platynota. I have not taken any shots of the female but the male for sure. They are kept in separate enclosures as she is still to young to breed so is not paired or kept in the enclosure with the male and large pond. Here are some shots of him. Leopards love the water too. Especially the South African.

 

[tortadise]

Well thats weird how those uploaded. Oh well. You have to click on them to see them

 

[dmmj]

Well thats weird how those uploaded. Oh well. You have to click on them to see them

You're not the boss of me.

 

[tortadise]

You're not the boss of me.

Lol. You crack me up Cap'N. Let's just say it was more of a hint "IF" you wanted to see the photos of course.

 

[Tom]

Noooooooo not my poodles....

Standard poodles are awesome!