Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My question concerns soaking... The care sheets and most postings on the topic recommend soaking.. My problem is when I do this it seems to really stress out the lizard. It doesn't come out of its hide spot or eat the next day..Is this normal? Should I keep doing it? It has a large water dish in the enclosure that it uses , at least for its nasty stuff..F.Y.I. Temporary enclosure measures 3'T x 5' x 2.5', Temps Amb-85 deg. with cool spots at 70 - 72 deg. Basking at 130 or so.. Lizard is about 18-20". Eats well any other time.. I try to keep it hands off most of the time. It doesn't like people much. Doesn't bite or anything just hides most of the time..after all the rambling the question is Soak? or not?
Thanks
Steve

As long as the cage is adequate I just don't see the need for soaking as a preventitive measure.

It still is small, it will probably calm down more in due time. I noticed with mine, first thing that goes is any apprehension about me when food is involved, but it all took time.

Good Luck,

--Robert

Thanks again, like i said I have really been hands off and the time it takes is fine by me. I just don't want to do anything to add undue stress...You (Robert) suggested feeding tongs to help calm the animal down but as I have yet to even see it eat, this is not an option.(but I'm gonna keep trying) So it never really can associate me with its food source.. It doesn't have the feeding responce I have read about. I have seen Roberts picture of the "Flying Peachie" and hope to have that kind of interaction at some point. For now he eats when I'm not around and I know by the excavation going on that he is active. So I'll leave it at that.
Thanks again,
Steve