Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all- I have a baby 4" Sulcatta that I picked up while on vacation last week in VA beach and he is temporarily in a 20gal tank until my basement is finished being built. Once my room is done he will live in a larger enclosure that I have waiting for him... Now to my question- This little guy spends TONS of time in his water dish. Like maybe 4 hours a day if not more. Could he be over heated and he is trying to cool himself off? From everything I've read this seems abnormal for these tortoises to like water so much, no??? My tank temp reads 90 under the heat lamp, probably not much cooler on the other side of the tank since it is a glass enclosure and is small. I do have a shady log on the "cool" side of the tank that he can go under so maybe its a little better under the log... Anyway, would appreciate input... Thanks.......

Good looking critter. In general I would caution you about the type of bowl that you leave in the tank. This would be the maximum water depth you would be after but the sides on the bowl are steeper than you may want. He may be doing it because of need for fluids or it cools him, or just because it's a little harder to get out. In that you are using a tank you also want to be sure to keep the cage humidity low. I keep a very flat pate of water for intermittant drinking and then soak him daily for 10-20 minutes.

Congrats on the new addition to your family. You'll have fun.

Eric

there needs to be a good sized area he can get to 70 degrees
at, raise your lamp up or change the bulb to a lower wattage
until you get something else for him. I agree with the other
post, that bowl is unsuitable. He's roasting in there, it's
not normal for them to soak.