Drinking.. - Page 3

Kirkie · 23-09-2009, 07:23 PM

Like EJ's idea of locating the drinking water where it can easily be found. I've been using the same bowls( flower pot saucers) indoors and outdoors since day one and try and leave them in the same place. I think the tortoises recognise them as water sources now. As they get bigger, I get a bigger saucer in the same colour.

Always did wonder why an animal like a tortoise, that is specifically adapted to try to conserve water, would have a porous skin so I've never been sure about "other routes" into the body.

Anyone recommend a good reptile anatomy book?

EJ · 23-09-2009, 07:31 PM

Believe it or not there is a text book on reptile skin... it's out of print and I don't have the specifics.

Tortoises definately do get imprinted with habits. Like you suggest... try and keep things as stable as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Like EJ's idea of locating the drinking water where it can easily be found. I've been using the same bowls( flower pot saucers) indoors and outdoors since day one and try and leave them in the same place. I think the tortoises recognise them as water sources now. As they get bigger, I get a bigger saucer in the same colour.

Always did wonder why an animal like a tortoise, that is specifically adapted to try to conserve water, would have a porous skin so I've never been sure about "other routes" into the body.

Anyone recommend a good reptile anatomy book?

Evie · 23-09-2009, 07:33 PM

I always used to worry about my Leopards - I never saw them drinking - I always soak their weeds though - everyday they would pee for England so I am guessing they must have been hydrated enough.

**16 shells** · 23-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evie

I always used to worry about my Leopards - I never saw them drinking - I always soak their weeds though - everyday they would pee for England so I am guessing they must have been hydrated enough.

Mine's the same, have'nt seen him drink in a while, but passes plenty
Paul

**Bindi** · 23-09-2009, 07:52 PM

So taking in water through their cloaca is totally false then?

Kirkie · 23-09-2009, 07:58 PM

Dont know Bindi. The Cloaca is pretty multifunctional in regard to what comes out, I'm not sure about what goes in. I now have to spend the evening looking for diagrams of a tortoises renal tract. Thanks matey

Star · 23-09-2009, 08:16 PM

Try these for starters Kirkie
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9951413

Kirkie · 23-09-2009, 08:25 PM

Star,

You're a bloody...Star.

Interesting that the note on Cloacal "drinking" for want of a better word is attributed to Emys orbicularis (the European Pond Terrapin), a freshwater turtle not a tortoise. I've recently read a bit on the supposed use of these "bladders" and that they are used for oxygen diffusion during aquatic hibernation. Interesting stuff, thankyou.

Star · 23-09-2009, 08:31 PM

Kirkie, its the least I could do.......

I really enjoyed the reads.......some very interesting stuff

Kirkie · 23-09-2009, 08:55 PM

Yes, very interesting and it makes sense that a hibernating aquatic turtle would need a means to draw fresh water into the body to extract the oxygen from it, if this is what these organs are used for.

This has gone a bit off topic hasn't it?

23-09-2009, 07:52 PM	#25
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	So taking in water through their cloaca is totally false then? __________________

23-09-2009, 08:16 PM	#27
Star Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: With My Tortoises Posts: 1,495	Try these for starters Kirkie http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9951413 __________________ 1.1./. Amazing kids 0.1./. Gorgeous Malamute 0.1./. Beautiful Cat 0.5.0. Playful T.H.H / T.H.B 11 Tropical Fish 1 Bearded Lizard Lots of Aspirin Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb

23-09-2009, 08:31 PM	#29
Star Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: With My Tortoises Posts: 1,495	Kirkie, its the least I could do....... I really enjoyed the reads.......some very interesting stuff __________________ 1.1./. Amazing kids 0.1./. Gorgeous Malamute 0.1./. Beautiful Cat 0.5.0. Playful T.H.H / T.H.B 11 Tropical Fish 1 Bearded Lizard Lots of Aspirin Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb

23-09-2009, 07:23 PM	#21
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Like EJ's idea of locating the drinking water where it can easily be found. I've been using the same bowls( flower pot saucers) indoors and outdoors since day one and try and leave them in the same place. I think the tortoises recognise them as water sources now. As they get bigger, I get a bigger saucer in the same colour. Always did wonder why an animal like a tortoise, that is specifically adapted to try to conserve water, would have a porous skin so I've never been sure about "other routes" into the body. Anyone recommend a good reptile anatomy book?

23-09-2009, 07:33 PM	#23
Evie Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 1,752	I always used to worry about my Leopards - I never saw them drinking - I always soak their weeds though - everyday they would pee for England so I am guessing they must have been hydrated enough.

23-09-2009, 07:58 PM	#26
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Dont know Bindi. The Cloaca is pretty multifunctional in regard to what comes out, I'm not sure about what goes in. I now have to spend the evening looking for diagrams of a tortoises renal tract. Thanks matey

23-09-2009, 08:25 PM	#28
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Star, You're a bloody...Star. Interesting that the note on Cloacal "drinking" for want of a better word is attributed to Emys orbicularis (the European Pond Terrapin), a freshwater turtle not a tortoise. I've recently read a bit on the supposed use of these "bladders" and that they are used for oxygen diffusion during aquatic hibernation. Interesting stuff, thankyou.

23-09-2009, 08:55 PM	#30
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Yes, very interesting and it makes sense that a hibernating aquatic turtle would need a means to draw fresh water into the body to extract the oxygen from it, if this is what these organs are used for. This has gone a bit off topic hasn't it?

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