Won't drink water

[ShreksMom]

Well we made it to FL. Shrek did great. He was the least
Trouble. He ate as soon as I put him on the grass. His poop
looks good(well you know what I mean... Lol) but I haven't
seen him drink. Even when I soaked him before we left he
didn't drink and I'm getting worried. Any suggestions?

 

[GBtortoises]

Tortoises will drink on their own when they need to as long as they are given the opportunity to do so. Give your tortoise constant access to clean drinking water in a shallow container that is easily accessible. You can continue to soak him for added insurance. But generally tortoises are going to drink when they want to, whether sitting in water or not. It's not "natural" for them to actually in water which is why many of them panick when placed in the water to soak. In some cases soaking is doing nothing more than creating more stress for the animal. Some take being soaked well, others do not. So it comes down the how your individual tortoise reacts to it.

 

[ShreksMom]

Thank you. I am going to try to work on his enclosure today
so he will have access to plenty of water. I just worry about
him. I want him to be happy and healthy.

 

[Tom]

There are many reasons why a tortoise might not want to drink from its water bowl. Soaking will help ensure that he stays hydrated until he and/or you figure it out.

You might try running a sprinkler or the hose long enough to form some puddles. They will often drink from puddles before they will drink from a bowl that they may not like.


What are you using as a water bowl?

 

[ShreksMom]

Tom - I have the largest terracotta dish I could find. It is 12" I think.

 

[zenoandthetortoise]

Mine prefers Evian, but that could be a California thing
Seriously though mine finds water running out of a hose to be irresistible, even when I think he is well hydrated

 

[thatrebecca]

I have one water averse tort -- he has no interest in his terra cotta water dish, and often doesn't drink during his soaks. But when I run the hose and create puddles in the enclosure he comes out for a drink. I've also started adding water to his morning greens. His little sister, meanwhile, thinks she's a fish, so go figure.

 

[mikeh]

You can also try tilting the food dish slightly, put food on high end and create small puddle on low end. Works with mine almost every time they eat.

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[Tom]

Tom - I have the largest terracotta dish I could find. It is 12" I think.

I can't tell from the pic, but how long is your new sulcata?

 

[ShreksMom]

He is about 20" long.... his shell that is. He is about 13" wide. He is a big boy.