Concerned...Lily wont stay in the bath!

[yuna1971]

Im using a bowl....and trying when he is lukewarm/or even cold.
He wont stay...and I am concerned that hes not getting fluid.

To compensate and I know its pretty bad, have been giving him bits of cucumber..but know that THAT is going to not go down well with the gut.
Only trying this for hydration and fluid purposes...

Any suggestions...as I am running out of ideas!


Sometimes he does stay...and drinks plenty. Other times and probably 70% of the time when it is bath time - just doesnt want none of it & wants out after about 2mins!!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. xx

[yuna1971]

Thanks Kell, sorry to be dense...by "soak" what do you mean - like, so he is fully immersed...I keep it shallow at the mo, but do you mean put more in??
I always thought cucumber (as its a fruit) would upset the gut if fed too much..he does love it (lol...obviously) but I try not to give it...so I guess giving it is ok??
Iceberg...yeah didnt think of that. xx

[yuna1971]

Oh no....Kell...havent got a bath... Just a shower cubicle.... DOH!!!!!

[Watermelon]

Hi Rach my eldest two wouldnt stay in the bath either this morning... they were having none of it. So I just put them in a deep bowl so they couldnt climb out. I've given them all some cucumber too today so they stay hydrated and I'll try again with a bath later! Thermometer is reading 34C now outside..... way too hot for me!

[emma_mcraf]

I use deep washing up bowls, Rach. All of mine soak for quite a while in them and if they do start to tread the sides because they've had enough, they can't get out until I lift them out.

[yuna1971]

Thanks Soph & Em...
A big bowl (old washing up one) is what hes got...
When he wants out he just scrabbles the sides and doesnt stop nor settle until I lift him out..
I dont want him getting all huffy and stressed so I become the dutiful butler and just lift him out and let him nibble on some cucumber.
I dont really want it to be this way though...he used to be fine.xx

[emma_mcraf]

It may sound silly but perhaps he's just hormonal. I've certainly noticed that Theo is a bit more energetic at the moment and has a sprint on and no time to stop.
I think the good weather has made him want to seek out some females! He's usually very chilled and relaxed.

[LincsBren]

When I bath mine, I put their washing up bowl in the tortoise table so they still have the lamp over part of the bath - they will happily stay put (doing starfish impression!) for 20-30 mins. My girls' breeder advised me to buy a cheap desk lamp to put over the bowl when they're bathing (before she knew I could fit it in the tortoise table) as even an ordinary table lamp will heat up and provide warmth while they're in the bath. The water cools down surprisingly quickly, maybe he would be more comfortable with a heat source?

[Shelled Lady]

As long as your babies have access to water, plenty green food and a moist bed, your tortoise will be fine. I don't force mine to bath everyday but I do make sure they sit in for a soak at least once a week. If your tortoise needs a drink, he can get in the dish himself, they aren't going to dehydrate themselves on purpose when water is available only inches away!

[abee_fell_]

Originally Posted by yuna1971

Thanks Soph & Em...
A big bowl (old washing up one) is what hes got...
When he wants out he just scrabbles the sides and doesnt stop nor settle until I lift him out..
I dont want him getting all huffy and stressed so I become the dutiful butler and just lift him out and let him nibble on some cucumber.
I dont really want it to be this way though...he used to be fine.xx

silly question but what colour is your bowl? if its dark and he can see his reflection this may disturb him as i found mine were quite curious when they saw their reflection on the sides of the bowl!

Also, is the temperature ok? If the water gets too cold for my horsfields they scramble around more so!