In the past, it was widely assumed that European tortoises should be bathed several times before hibernation in order to completely empty their bowels. Combined with a period of food withdrawal lasting several weeks, this practice was intended to prevent tortoises from entering hibernation with a full stomach and to avoid fermentation of food remains in the gastrointestinal tract.
Tortoises kept in species-appropriate conditions in a heated cold frame should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they wish to bathe or not.
Current state of knowledge
Today, this approach is considered an outdated husbandry practice. A certain amount of intestinal content is perfectly normal; tortoises should simply not be cooled down directly with a freshly full stomach.
In modern, naturalistic husbandry, forced bathing is regarded as obsolete, as tortoises typically make regular use of the water dishes available to them in autumn. In contemporary care, temperatures are gradually reduced while food and water continue to be offered until the very end. This allows the animals to prepare for hibernation at their own pace. Until all tortoises have withdrawn, a warm, bright UV basking lamp providing approximately 35 °C at carapace level remains available.
Importance of the basking spot
After the ambient temperatures have been reduced, the basking spot is only switched off once all animals have stopped basking for several days and have clearly entered hibernation.
Recent observations suggest that tortoises which have been “emptied” through forced bathing and insufficiently prepared for hibernation are more likely to develop post-hibernation anorexia — meaning a refusal to eat after hibernation — than animals that were allowed to prepare independently at their own pace. It is suspected that frequent forced bathing and the associated complete emptying of the gastrointestinal tract may disrupt the tortoises’ essential gut flora.
Tortoises kept in terrariums and animals with underlying health conditions
For tortoises not kept in species-appropriate heated cold frames — for example, animals from terrarium housing — it must be taken into account that they often tend towards dehydration. These animals may be safely bathed briefly several times prior to hibernation to replenish their fluid reserves. Likewise, tortoises with underlying health conditions, such as metabolic disorders, may be bathed on the advice of a reptile veterinarian.