Winter soaking

[pugsandkids]

How often do you soak your larger torts in the winter?

 

[sibi]

I have two 4 year old males who weigh over 90 lbs each. It's real hard to get them into a cement mixing tub for soakings. I try to get them into a soak at least once a week, IF I get help lifting them or lifting a 5 gallon bucket of real hot water for the tub. I would hose them down on real hot days, but winter days are often dry and that's tough! My heart breaks for them when I see their scaly looking skin. I know they need soaks cause they're outside in 80 degree dry winter weather. When they go in for the night, I have a humidifier running and humidity is at 80%. They're good until I let them out the next morning where they leave their warm, humid enclosure. All I can do is hose them from time to time and provide lots of water dishes. If anyone has a good idea to soak these big guys w/o breaking my back, I'm all ears. Btw, I use a big pan with a gallon of water in it and place it inside their enclosure. The pan is actually a pan for hot water heaters I get from home depot. I often see them sitting in it every morning and they use it to pee and defecate. It works real well for big guys.

 

[sibi]

I am also toying with the idea of creating a shallow pond where they can self -soak outside. I actually got the idea from Aldabraman' threads where I've seen his herd enjoying baths in mud ponds, which are only holes dug out and filled with water.

 

[Tom]

I soak them once a warm spell in winter.

 

[pugsandkids]

I soak them once a warm spell in winter.

Riigghhtt, like when it's 85 in December?
I soaked Sarge tonight, yup in our tiny shower! He was so happy and content, dinner was later then usual because I didn't have the heart to move him. Obviously he doesn't need a soak all the time, but I do think he enjoyed his spa treatment. I'll probably do a two week rotation for now.

 

[TerrapinStation]

Sarge looks like one happy camper there.

 

[pugsandkids]

Sarge looks like one happy camper there.

He kicked his back legs out, rested his chin, and looked so pleased

 

[Tom]

Riigghhtt, like when it's 85 in December?

Exactly!

I wait for an 80+ sunny day and try to soak them about once a week. If I have to skip a couple of weeks due to the cold, its no big deal. They have drinking water and humid shelters, so skipping soaks during cooler weather is not a problem.