Before brumation, be sure to hydrate your tortoise well. A soak or two should do it. You want your tortoise to sit in lukewarm water that comes about half way up its shell. Place the tortoise in the water and wait. Stand by to remove the tortoise when it’s ready.
It may drink for 20 or 30 minutes or more. It submerges its head and takes water in through the nose and mouth (also the cloaca, the rear opening).
Watch the throat to see your tortoise swallow. Let it stay as long as it wants. When its finished, you’ll know. It will start to climb out of the container. If it doesn’t want to drink, try again another day.
