Do Tortoises Need a Pool? Hydration, Benefits & How to Set One Up
Many tortoise owners imagine a pool as something deep and swim-ready, but for tortoises, a pool means something completely different. Unlike aquatic turtles, tortoises cannot swim, do not float, and can drown in deep water. What they truly need is a shallow soaking area — just enough water for them to stand comfortably with their head well above the surface. This simple routine supports hydration, digestion, shell health, and overall wellbeing more than most owners realize.
In the wild, tortoises hydrate through dew, puddles, and shallow natural water sources after rain. In captivity, soaking replaces what nature would normally provide. When offered regularly, tortoises drink more often, stay hydrated, and maintain healthier skin and shells.
Why Tortoises Need a Shallow Pool
A tortoise pool is simply a shallow tray or container of warm water where the tortoise can drink and hydrate safely. All species benefit — even desert tortoises like sulcata, leopard, and Russian tortoises.
Soaking helps with:
hydration and natural drinking
digestion and flushing the bladder
softening the skin and shell
regulating body temperature
preventing dehydration in warm/dry climates
A sulcata hatchling, for example, may soak for 15 minutes, drink from the water, and come out more active and alert. Small routines like this make a big long-term difference.
How to Set Up a Safe Tortoise Pool
The most important rule is shallow water only. Deep tubs and sinks should be avoided.
1. Choose a shallow, wide container
A tortoise soaking tray is ideal. Low plastic bins or ceramic basins work if shallow and stable.
2. Add warm water (32–35°C / 89–95°F)
Depth should only reach slightly above the bottom shell:
• Babies: 0.5–1.5 cm
• Juveniles: 1–2.5 cm
• Adults: 2–4 cm
3. Place indoors or outdoors on level ground
Indoors is easier for routine hydration. Outdoors can be beneficial in warm weather but requires supervision and shade.
4. Soak for 10–20 minutes
Young tortoises benefit from more frequent soaks than adults.
5. Frequency
• Babies: 4–5 times per week
• Juveniles: 2–3 times per week
• Adults: 1–2 times per week
Increase soaks in hot/dry weather or when a tortoise seems dehydrated or constipated.
Tips, Common Mistakes & Species Notes
To make soaking safe and effective:
Keep the water warm — never hot or cold
Always supervise, even when water is shallow
Clean and replace water if they defecate (very common)
Mistakes to avoid:
water too deep — tortoises cannot swim
slippery containers without grip
cold water or leaving a tortoise unattended
Species differences:
Sulcata & Leopard tortoises benefit from regular, frequent soaks
Russian & Greek tortoises do well with shallow routine hydration
Red-footed tortoises enjoy humidity and bathe well with frequent access
Conclusion
Tortoises don’t need deep pools — they need safe, shallow soaking areas where they can stand, drink, and hydrate naturally. A simple tray of warm water, used weekly or more often for young tortoises, is often all it takes to support healthy hydration, digestion, and shell condition. With the right setup and routine, hydration becomes easy and safe for both you and your tortoise.
