Hi Guys
Firstly hope you enjoy the week-end, it is set to be warm one, although it is taking a while to reach us!!!
My question is, when I put Keya in the bath and Molly they make their back legs stiff and stand right up out the water, it is not hot or too cold, it is like they saying I don't want to do this. Molly will sometimes do this when I take her out  and put her down, it doesn't last long, about a few seconds, and then they settle down. Is it a nervous thing? probably answering my own question here, but interested to hear why the behaviour attitude. Also can anyone recommend a book that talks about the behavour of the torts?
Thanks
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi Jane

Ive noticed mine do this as well, and they normally have a wee very shortly afterwards.  Tortoises generally come from fairly arid areas (talking about med tortoises here, not redfoots etc) so they tend not to release fluids unless they are able to replace them, hence the wee-ing when you bathe them.

Lovely and warm here in Hampshire, the last few days have been sunny but the air has been cold, but feeling much warmer today!

atb

Arlene

Hi Jane

Are Keya and Molly Mediterrainian tortoises?

If so I can recommend two books that cover behaviour and natural habitat. They are both primarily about Hermanns tortoise but the care regimes are simiilar for other Testudo species.

Hermanns tortoise by Holger Vetter and naturalistic keeping and breeding of Hermanns tortoise by Wolfgang Wegehaut (check the spelling of that name).

They're not the most common or cheap! Books but both are exceptional.

Hi Dave

Yes they are both Hermans. I do have the Holger Vetter one, maybe I should re visit it. Will definately have a look for the Wolfgang one. I have just ordered Turtles- The animal answer guide by Whit Gibbons & Judy Greene, John Hopkins University Press 2009, ISBN 978081893506. Looks good although it will give reference to USA contacts etc.  It is about Chelonia in the wild, so looking forward to seeing that., and will give a review on it when I have had a read.

Hi Arlene
Yes I supose that it could be the initial wanting to wee, although they don't do that when they normally go in the bath!! maybe I move them a bit too fast sometimes without thinking, must try to be aware of not doing that, either way I think it must me a wary signal. 
Thanks Guys for your replies
Jane, Keya & Molly. 

Just wanted to say, what would I do without this site!!!!Thanks guys, you do a great job and have oodles of experience to willingly share

Really grateful

Keya, Molly & Jane (thought I needed to come last on this one)