I have just changed the uv bulb in my tortoises enclosure I do this every six months its the same bulb as I always use. His temps are still the same as ever but he has suddenly becme very active and had very runny poos. He is checked every year by the vet for worms and is fed on weeds, florette crispy salad and water cress he gets his calcium and nutrobal bathed every other day, daily if I think he needs it. Its seems just since I have changed the bulb because his poos were normal and hard before that although he wasn't very active until this point. I was just wondering if this is normal.

Hi there. I am interested in the words "daily if I think he needs it".

I sometimes wonder if we tortoise keepers may be over watering our beasties. I find it hard to believe that in their natural habitat they would drink every day or two. If you study their homelands it can be very dry for long periods, yet the tortoises survive by feeding on what is available. This is often dry, coarse and far from lush, unlike the foods we give them. When they emerge from hibernation then rehydration is essential. This would coincide with spring rainfalls, and new plant growth. Later in the year the land is very dry, and even ponds and streams may dry up.

In the out door pens I have for mine, my Spur-thighed only rarely take water from trays voluntarily. However you watch them in a dry, hot spell when there is a summer downpour. Then they become excited and move to where the rain collects, next, they raise their back legs so the water from their shells runs off at the head end. By turning their heads to one side they catch the water and gulp for minutes on end. This is the time they also urinate, sometimes copious amounts of fluid. It's almost as if they were hanging on to this liquid for a "rainy day", and can afford to lose it once they are tanked up again.

Perhaps those lucky enough to have seen wild European/North African tortoises, could shed some light on this. Do anyone else's torts relish a downpour in July/ August? It works the same if you gently sprinkle from a hose pipe...SO I AM TOLD!   ( This is not watering the garden, it is preserving livestock, and should be legal) ...Does anyone else feel that we might overwater our tortoises?  I wonder if I am out on a limb here, or does anyone share these thoughts?

Anyway, back to your posting. I suggest less bathing, and sometimes let the food wilt a little before feeding. Oops, I went on a bit...it reads like a lecture, sorry!  Nevertheless I think it is important that we share thoughts and experiences. Please keep us posted as to how torty gets along. I hope this helps, and that torty is soon back to normal, and your mind is put at rest.

Regards, David nr York

Hi thanks for replying so fast I will try bathing him less then. I just thought that if his utrates looked a bit gritty that meant he was dehydrated and needed bathed more. Most of the time they look fine.

Thanks Jess

Hi Jess
Sometimes the nutrobol can be a bit hard for them to digest, so maybe alternate with some lime flour which is easier on the gut. If your little one has gritty urates, then they are a bit hydrated, what are the temps that you have in the pen and what type of set up do you have?
Wasn't that fascinating what David was saying, I know my Molly & Keya are out there like a shot when it rains, they love it.
Jane

OOps Sorry was supposed to read "dehydrated" not "hydrated"

Hi I'll try that. He has a basking temp of 95f and around 80f. He lives indoors he is a three year old horsefield. He seems fine today but I will take him to the vets if he continues to be runny.

Thank you for your advice I never thought about the nutrobal

Jess