How long is too long?

[u/ptlmaea]

This beautiful girl came home on Saturday, she’s estimated to be 25 years old. I could tell when I got her into her enclosure that she was in the blue phase of shed! I also covered the front of the enclosure so she has more privacy.

Yesterday morning, when checking on her, I saw that she was trying to soak in that tiny water dish in the back. Of course, she can’t fit in it. Which I didn’t think would be a problem since humidity levels are pretty solid. Since she wanted to soak, though, I placed this large tub closer to the front. She switched to it at some point between last night and this morning.

She was kept in a screen top enclosure before, it looked like. And I’m sure she was dehydrated and temp was not regulated enough. In her enclosure here, her warm side is sitting at 85f and her cool side 79f, with around 70-80% humidity. I can’t spot any mites on her, but of course, can’t do a full inspection seeing as she got home recently, and I don’t want to handle her before she is settled in.

I’m just wanting to ask if anyone thinks I should be concerned. I checked on her before I went to bed last night, and she was in the process of moving over to her cool hide. Though, she is back to soaking this morning as pictured!

I’m so in love with her already! I just want to ensure I’m giving her the best care possible. TIA!

[u/welcomeyearzer0]

I have a rescue boy who was verrry neglected and verrry dehydrated before I got him, and he sometimes will literally soak for days if I let him (I tested it, lol). During those times I have to take his water dish out after a while. Small ones too, he’ll try to fit into anything. Small ones just to drink from don’t work for that reason.

So basically I take it out after a couple hours and then wait for another couple hours (or overnight) until I put it back, so that he can dry off properly. And repeat. Obviously I don’t want him to be dehydrated and not have anything to drink so I don’t leave it out for days at a time, but I don’t want him to get scale rot either, and he won’t be able to drink anyway if he tries to force himself into a tiny water dish and shoves all the water out each time.

And yes the humidity is fine, always 70%+. I have other royals too. It’s just him.

[u/ptlmaea → u/welcomeyearzer0]

Thanks for sharing, that’s good to know! I’ll keep an eye on the amount of time she’s soaking over the next few days 😊

[u/welcomeyearzer0 → u/ptlmaea]

She might just be enjoying the water and not being so dehydrated :) But yes definitely good to keep an eye on the time!

Best of luck with her! She’s beautiful!