If you’re ever in doubt of whether your sulcata tortoise is dehydrated, it’s important to know what to look for and what to do. Although it is a big misconception that sulcatas do not need a lot of water, water is actually very important for sulcata tortoises. Baby sulcatas need a high humidity level, regular soaks and water available at all times. Adults should always have a water bowl available and regular soaks.
Signs of Dehydration in Sulcata Tortoises
- Typically feel lighter when picked up
- Eyes may appear to be sunken into the sockets
- Rear legs and neck may appear skinny
- Skin may be shedding off in larger chunks where shedding wouldn’t be generally noticeable.
- Listless and loss of energy
- Lack of appetite
- Gritty, chunky or hard urates
Increase Hydration in Tortoise
Increase hydration to slow dehydration if your sulcata tortoise is dehydrated.
Force the tortoise to soak. In order to soak a tortoise, fill a container or bathtub with warm water about half way up the tortoise shell.
Increase humidity. In younger sulcatas that are housed inside, this will be easy. You will want to spray the enclosure, add a humidifier or change the substrate to one that holds moisture better. Otherwise, if it’s a large sulcata that lives outside, add a moisture-rich substrate in the house or burrow to increase humidity.
Offer moister foods. Pre-soak the foods you offer and offer more moisture-rich foods. You can slow dehydration by offering more moisture-rich foods, like iceburg lettuce. You can even soak the lettuce in water so that it absorbs more water for your tortoise to ingest. Offer cucumbers or melons. Although these foods are treats, offer them to a dehydrated tortoise in small amounts to increase hydration.
There are many ways to increase hydration, or at least to slow dehydration.
Ensure there is a water dish or bowl available for voluntary soaks. Water is very important for all ages of sulcata tortoise. It is just as important that water is available for baby sulcatas as it is for adult sulcatas. There are many options of water bowls for baby sulcatas, such as shallow plant saucers or reptile water dishes. For adult sulcatas, you can use large water dishes or a kiddie pool with a walking space cut into it.
Remove tortoise from heat. If it is hot outside, you want to remove your tortoise from the heat. The tortoise could be overheated. If it is hot outside or in the inside enclosure, you want to cool off the tortoise safely in addition to rehydrating it.
Electrolytes for Tortoises
Add a little Gatoraid or Pedialyte to the drinking water, if you think your sulcata tortoise is dehydrated.
On the other hand, you can make your own electrolyte formula.
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons sugar (The sugar is based on human/mammal needs and is partly there for taste.)
- 4 cups of water. (Add more water for a weaker solution)
Note: Morton Salt Lite is already a 1/2 salt and 1/2 salt substitute, so you can use 1 teaspoon instead of 1/2 teaspoon each salt and salt substitute.
Note: For soaking, reduce sugar to 1 teaspoon.
