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A Possibly Really Stupid Question

Susan

Susan

Go Ahead, Make My Day!
My very-soon-to-be-9 yr old daughter started this discussion by being surprised that cats can swim. It rapidly became a volley of "Can _______ swim?" with every type of critter being put in the blank. I was getting tired of constantly saying "yes" and simply said "ALL animals (excluding birds and insects) can swim!" Hubby then chimed in with "Tortoises can't swim." So naturally, I had to question him on that "fact", and have since come here for back-up as I really can't put up a good argument without any ammo. And with my luck, tortoises really DO swim as well as rocks!
 
I had to know myself. This is from:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html#swim


5) Can my tortoise swim?

No, tortoises generally can not swim. Tortoises are terrestrial, which means that they live on land. Unlike aquatic turtles, tortoises lack webbed feet. Should a tortoise by accident fall into a pond or swimming pool it could sink to the bottom like a rock and drown.

It is therefore very important when planing an enclosure for your tortoise that it has no access to large bodies of water other than a very shallow dish to drink from. The dish must be shallow enough that the tortoise can drink easily, without falling into the dish or flipping on its back trying to climb up to take a drink or out after taking one. Also when planing an outdoor enclosure you must make sure that you do not build it in an area of your yard which will flood during a heavy rainfall, (drowning the trapped tortoise). If you plan to hibernate your tortoise outdoors do not allow it to hibernate in an area which may flood. (Drowning the tortoise as it hibernates).

There are some species of tortoise that can swim and enjoy doing so but they are the exception rather than the rule. Always study the natural history of any animal you wish to care for to ascertain its particular needs.
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Susan said:
My very-soon-to-be-9 yr old daughter started this discussion by being surprised that cats can swim. It rapidly became a volley of "Can _______ swim?" with every type of critter being put in the blank. I was getting tired of constantly saying "yes" and simply said "ALL animals (excluding birds and insects) can swim!" Hubby then chimed in with "Tortoises can't swim." So naturally, I had to question him on that "fact", and have since come here for back-up as I really can't put up a good argument without any ammo. And with my luck, tortoises really DO swim as well as rocks!
Click to expand...

I can't swim....:awcrap: . What an interesting question though. Can't wait to hear the answers.
 
Good catch Mr. Munson...

I have seen the Galapagos Tortoises swim frequently in the ocean (on tv). It is still a debate whether they swam to different islands, or the islands were at one time connected. Definitely research a tortoise before including a water source in an enclosure.
Funny story-
After hurricane Charley, Lisa and I were at our pool when some kids came through with a Gopher Tortoise. We gave them a quick glance and went on our way. At the same moment it hit us. They were headed for the lake. What is common knowledge to us, is not to others. They assumed it was aquatic. We arrived just in time to keep them from assassinating the little guy by dropping him in the lake. We kept him until the other three storms came and went. Then took him to a safe location and turned him lose.
 

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Okay, time for embarrassing confessions. ;) When I was much much younger, my best friend's mother worked at a wildlife rehab center and we would often go with her to work and "help out" with the care of the animals. This place had a handful of enclosures set up similar to a zoo for animals that were not able to be returned to the wild. Included was an enclosure with a nice little pond for some turtles and a lone tortoise.

You wouldn't think two young girls could get into trouble in a place like that, considering we were raised to be respectful and careful with animals. Perhaps it was this education in compassion that made us want to "help" the "turtle" that never seemed able to get into the water. Yep. One day we decided to do a good deed and put him in the pond. We were so proud that we ran to tell my friend's mother, and oh my that look of horror on her face!

Long story short... no, they don't swim. At least, ours didn't. He was quickly rescued and continues to live to this day, none the worse for his dunking. We, on the other hand, got a very swift and stern lecture on how to tell turtles and tortoises apart!

Sorry, can't help you in backing up your comment. ;)
 
Thanks everyone for all the responses! And hubby and I can BOTH be correct in front of the kids...some tortoises can swim while others can't.
 
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