Water and drinking

You may think your tortoise does not drink and doesn't need water as it gets all the fluid it needs from its food. Well, years ago that is what was said but over time it has been observed they do indeed drink from time to time. My boys and girls outside ike a nice rain shower as explained in a previous blog and they also drink when they go into their swimming pools. So, whether you have a tortoise inside in an open enclosure or outside in the garden or even both; make sure there is fresh water available at all times and change it frequently as you or I would not want to drink a glass of water that had sat around for over a day would we !! You will find sometimes they will poo in the water and pass the uric acid (White chalky stuff) but that's good too because you will know everthing is working properly. Indoors you can buy different sizes in shallow water dishes for reptiles and you can put little pebbles around the outside so that it is easy for them to get in and out .  I also bath mine regularly as this  keeps the shell hydrated  and then you can brush it with a baby toothbrush; mine love it....... use warm water and they usually poo soon after . You can then change the water and put them back in for a while. NEVER EVER  add anything to the water.Years ago a lady asked me if it would be ok to add some bubble bath!!!!!! NO !  was my answer obviously. They only need water........